Newspaper Leggo today leads its front page with the headline `We Loved Each Other So Much,` referencing the recent friction at Inter Milan in the aftermath of their defeat to Fluminense and subsequent elimination from the Club World Cup round of 16.
Following the match, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez expressed his disappointment and issued a clear message to his teammates:
“It definitely hurts, it was a final objective with the little energy we had left. We left everything out there, myself first: I`m sorry for the group, we didn`t want to lose. You have to *want* to be here, we`re fighting for objectives: whoever doesn`t want to be here, needs to leave. I saw many things I didn`t like: as captain, I want to fight for objectives and we are an important team. We have won and I want to continue like this: whoever wants to stay, can stay, while whoever doesn`t want to stay, goodbye.”
The Turkish midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu later responded to these comments via a post on social media, appearing to address the implied criticism:
“I respect every opinion, including that of a teammate, even that of the president. But respect cannot be one-way. I have always shown it, on and off the field. And I believe that in football, as in life, true strength lies precisely in knowing how to respect each other, especially in the most delicate moments. I have never betrayed this shirt. I have never said I wasn`t happy at Inter. In the past, I received offers, even very significant ones, but I chose to stay. Because I know what this shirt represents to me. And I thought my choices spoke for themselves. I had the honor of being the captain of my national team. And there I learned that a true leader is one who stands by his teammates, not one who looks for a culprit when it`s easier to do so. I love this sport. I love this club. And I love these colors, for which I have given everything every day. The future? We`ll see. But history will always remember those who stood tall. Not those who raised their voice the loudest.”
