Inter furious over Inzaghi attitude during Al-Hilal talks

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 12:36 PM ET

Inter are reportedly furious at the comments from Al-Hilal CEO Esteve Calzada, which confirmed Simone Inzaghi was stringing them along on contract talks, wondering if he tried to poach star players too.

The Nerazzurri were confident to the very last minute that Inzaghi, who was still tied to a deal until June 2026 and in advanced negotiations to sign an extension with a raised salary, would remain with them.

They were only reassured that he made the decision to move on after the 5-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, meaning it was the only season in his four at the club to end empty-handed.

Inzaghi already knew he would leave Inter

However, today Al-Hilal chief Calzada told BBC Sport that he had already promised himself to the Saudi Pro League side.

“He was playing a massive match and asked [us] to keep things aside until after the final, it was decided but not signed before the final, just because out of respect he asked us to wait, which is certainly fair enough.”

Italian media picked up the comments and there are reports of fury within the Inter hierarchy, who feel that Inzaghi was stringing them along when he had already made up his mind to leave.

It also prompted concerns that the squad sensed he was no longer fully committed to the cause, which contributed to their disastrous performance against Paris Saint-Germain.

There are even suggestions in La Gazzetta dello Sport that Inzaghi was trying to talk Inter stars Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni into following him to Al-Hilal.

Talks could’ve started as far back as April 29, when Inzaghi was in the stands for the AFC Champions League semi-final tie between Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli in Jeddah.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: