Newsletters
Inter President Giuseppe Marotta made striking remarks about Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu's future with the team following Inter's 2–0 defeat to Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Speaking to reporters after the loss, Marotta said, “If a player says they want to leave, the door’s wide open.” While he clarified that Lautaro Martinez had not made such a request, he added, “I am saying this—and my words are directed at Hakan Calhanoglu. However, we should not turn Calhanoglu into a scapegoat; we will speak with him.”
Marotta’s comments have intensified speculation about Calhanoglu’s future at Inter, especially after team captain Lautaro Martinez gave a tough post-match interview that many interpreted as a message to the Turkish international.
“If you want to stay at Inter, you must really want it, understood?” Martinez said.
“We are fighting for targets here. Those who want to stay will stay, those who want to leave—goodbye. I've seen many things I don’t like. As captain, I want to stay at the top. The message is clear: if you don’t want to stay—adios.”
The remarks from both the club president and captain suggest that Inter’s management is losing patience with players whose commitment to the club is in question.
Turkish international midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu continues to be linked with a return to Galatasaray. Galatasaray, under head coach Okan Buruk, aims to make a strong statement in the transfer market. However, there is currently a gap between the club’s offer and Inter’s valuation of the player.
If Calhanoglu departs, Inter, now preparing for the new season under Cristian Chivu—has shortlisted potential replacements. These include Adrian Bernabe (Parma), Mandela Keita, Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Ederson (Atalanta), and Samuele Ricci (Torino).
Born in Mannheim, Germany, to Turkish parents, Calhanoglu began his professional career at Karlsruher SC before moving to Hamburg and then Bayer Leverkusen, where he gained recognition for his long-range strikes and free-kick prowess.
In 2017, he joined AC Milan, spending four seasons with the Rossoneri before making a high-profile move to city rivals Inter Milan in 2021. Since then, he has become a central figure in Inter’s midfield, valued for his tactical awareness, distribution, and set-piece skills.
Internationally, Calhanoglu has earned over 80 caps for the Turkish national team (Türkiye) since 2013 and was instrumental in securing the country’s spot at Euro 2024. He remains one of the most prominent Turkish players in European football.
During the 2024–25 campaign, he played a key role in guiding Inter to the Champions League final—his second appearance in the tournament’s ultimate match.
4 min read
