After the elimination against Fluminense, the Nerazzurri captain criticized the lack of commitment from some players, including the Turkish player, who replied on social media
Turkish player Hakan Calhanoglu, midfielder for Inter Milan, replied to the accusations of lack of commitment he received from Lautaro Martínez, the team's captain, after the 2-0 defeat againstFluminensein the round of 16 of the Club World Cup.
After the match, Toro, without naming him, sent a clear message: "You have to want to stay here. Understood? Because here we fight for objectives. Whoever wants to stay should stay, whoever wants to leave should leave. I've seen many things I didn't like," he told DAZN.
Minutes later, president Giuseppe Marotta confirmed that Calhanoglu was the recipient of those words, who replied with a lengthy statement on social media.
"After the injury I suffered in the Champions League final, I decided to go to the United States anyway. Being there, even without stepping onto the field, was important to me. I wanted to be close to the group, to give them my support. Unfortunately, I suffered another injury in a different area. The diagnosis was clear: a muscle tear. That's why I couldn't play. Nothing more," the midfielder said.
Calhanoglu decidió sumarse pese a sus lesiones
Calhanoglu stated that he experienced the defeat "with sadness, not only as a footballer, but as someone who truly cares about this team" and that he called his teammates as soon as the match ended to offer support. "But what impacted me the most were the words that came afterward. Harsh words. Words that divide, not unite," he lamented.
Additionally, the Turkish player defended his career and commitment: "I've never betrayed this jersey. In the past, I received very important offers, but I chose to stay because I know what it represents. I learned that the true leader is the one who stands by his teammates, not the one who looks for someone to blame when it's easier to do so."
Finally, he left his future open after the conflict: "The future? We'll see. But history will always remember those who stood up. Not the one who raised his voice the loudest."
