Calhanoglu Fires Back at Martinez: 'Respect Is Not a One-Way Street'

Inter Milan finds itself in the midst of an internal spat as midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu publicly hit back at comments made by teammate Lautaro Martinez regarding player commitment. The exchange follows Inter's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Fluminense in the Club World Cup, an exit that seemingly triggered Martinez's remarks.

Martinez, the club's prolific striker, had reportedly suggested that players who were no longer fully committed to the club should consider leaving. These strong words, delivered in the wake of the significant loss, appear to have touched a nerve with Calhanoglu.

Calhanoglu, who was sidelined for the Fluminense match due to a calf injury, took to Instagram to voice his discontent. While the specific wording of Martinez's initial comments hasn't been fully detailed, Calhanoglu's retort clearly indicates his perception of a lack of consideration. He emphatically stated, "Respect is Not a One-Way Street," directly addressing the underlying tension and suggesting that mutual respect should govern relationships within the team.

The incident highlights potential friction within the Inter Milan squad as they navigate the aftermath of their Club World Cup disappointment. Calhanoglu's public response, especially given his injured status and inability to contribute on the field, underscores the depth of his feelings regarding Martinez's sentiment. This public exchange between two key players could pose a challenge for the team's cohesion as they look to refocus on domestic and European competitions.