Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez voiced out his frustrations over his teammates mentality and lacklustre display after Monday’s 2-0 loss to Fluminense,
The 2025 UEFA Champions League finalist exited the Club World Cup in the last 16 after Fluminense proved too much for the European team.
Despite fielding their strongest team, Inter failed to pose a real threat until the closing stages, leaving striker Martínez frustrated as he called on his teammates to show greater commitment.
“I want to fight for the major titles. Anyone who wants to stay at Inter, fine, let’s fight. But anyone who doesn’t want to stay can leave,” the Argentina striker told reporters.
“We need players who want to be here. We’re wearing an important shirt. We need a top-level mentality, or please leave.”
Lautaro Martinez and Stefan de Vrij disappointed during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
Inter arrived at the revamped Club World Cup as title contenders but, aside from a 2-0 win over River Plate in the group stage, the Serie A side had an inconsistent campaign -beating Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds with a last-minute winner and being held to a 1-1 draw by Mexican side Monterrey.
Their last-16 exit adds to a frustrating season in which they failed to win domestic silverware and were crushed 5-0 by Paris St Germain in last month’s Champions League final.
“It was a long and tiring season, we finished empty-handed. It is a general message,” Martinez added.
“In order to stay up there and fight for titles, we must be eager … I apologise to the fans who came here to follow us closely. I am the captain and I want to keep things at the top.”
Inter under a new manager – after the departure of Simone Inzaghi – will kick off their Serie A campaign at home to Torino in August.
