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Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez and teammate Hakan Calhanoglu have spoken privately to mend fences after a highly public blowout.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the pair have tried to cool things down and prevent a full-blown feud from developing.

Inter Milan’s exit from the Club World Cup this week has precipitated an extremely public blowup within the squad.

After the Nerazzurri’s 0-2 loss to Fluminense in the round of sixteen, captain Lautaro Martinez didn’t mince his words in his post-match comments.

The Argentine declared in a huff that “whoever wants to leave, should leave.”

If it wasn’t clear who Martinez was taking aim at, Nerazzurri President Beppe Marotta acknowledged that “I imagine he was referring to Calhanoglu.”

This came amid increasingly persistent transfer rumours about Calhanoglu. Galatasaray are keen on the 31-year-old, and reports from Turkey suggest that he is also pushing for the exit.

Therefore, questions have emerged about Calhanoglu’s loyalty to the Inter cause. Something which evidently didn’t sit well with Nerazzurri captain Martinez.

Lautaro & Calhanoglu Speak Privately To Mend Fences

Meanwhile, Hakan Calhanoglu responded publicly to Martinez’s comments with a social media post.

The Turkey captain called Martinez’s words “divisive.” He intimated that “respect is not a one-way street.”

All of this has threatened to throw Inter’s squad, and planning for next season, into disarray.

But according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the two principles in the drama have spoken to each other.

Martinez and Calhanoglu talked directly over the phone yesterday. According to the Gazzetta, the two players clarified their positions and tried to clear up misunderstandings.

Naturally, the tone of the conversation was harsh. And in fact, the disagreement between the two players is undoubtedly even more intense than they’ve conveyed publicly.

However, Inter hope that by speaking directly – and without a filter – Martinez and Calhanoglu can work things out.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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