Luciano Spalletti recalls how the social media incident with Lautaro Martinez’s father caused difficulties early in his time at Inter Milan.
The current Italian and former Inter, Napoli and Rome coaches looked back on the incident while talking to journalist Giancarlo Dotto via FCINTER1908.
Luciano Spalletti spent two seasons as coach of Inter Milan. He was with the club between 2017 and 2019.
Spalletti made many notable signs while in charge of Nerazzurri.
But perhaps the most important player that Sparetti has brought in is striker Lautaro Martinez.
Now Martinez is the captain of Inter. Argentina has been wearing armbands since the start of the 2023-24 season.
Martinez has won the Serie A title twice with Inter. He also led Nerazzuri to his second Champions League Final in just three seasons.
And Martinez has been the top scorer for Inter for three consecutive seasons.
However, when Argentina arrived he still needed a period to find his foot at Inter.
And that was the time when Sparetti collaborated with Martinez.
Sparetti recalls the social media explosion with Lautaro Martinez’s father at Inter
Spalletti looked back on her time as Intercoach. “At the start of my second season, a 20-year-old with a bright future has arrived.”
“Lautaro Martinez,” recalled the coach. “Pure power. Though it’s still far from the level he’s at today.”
“My captain, Nestor Sensini, when I was coaching Udinese, spoke very high about him,” Sparetti pointed out.
“Then, sports director Piero Asilio did very well to take him. He was smart to drive him out of Atletico Madrid’s hands.”
Sparetti then commented, “The nickname Il Toro fully sums up Lautaro’s qualities.”
“Every time he receives the ball, he burns his nostrils and head for the goal.”
“It was as if he had seen a red bullfighter flag,” the former Inter said.
Sparetti then recalled “no issues” with Martinez.
“But I had some with his father, when he crossed the line after a Champions League match with colorful tweets towards me.”
Martinez’s father vented his frustration after Sparetti was replaced by Keita Valde instead of Martinez.
“I don’t give a lot of weight to certain things,” the coach explained. “However, I explained to Lautaro that when his father publicly attacked me, he hadn’t noticed that he was causing damage to his son’s image and career.”
“It also affects the dressing room,” Spalletti pointed out.
“In Europe, to become a top player, you need to show that you know how to manage yourself,” Spalletti added.
“Like the people around you.”
“Because big clubs are willing to tolerate these embarrassing situations,” Spalletti explained.
