Lautaro Martinez admits he feels irritated by constant speculation over his Inter Milan future after the forward helped seal a 3-1 win over Spezia on Good Friday.
The Argentina international scored in the second half to help the Serie A champions score three crucial points, bringing them back to the top – at least temporarily – ahead of their rivals Milan.
However as his contract expires next year, negotiations to leave have puzzled Martinez for most of the season, with the striker starting at the bench at Stadio Alberto Picco.
Speaking afterward, Martinez admitted that talks about his next move were a source of frustration for him, as well as allegations that he had not made an effort in the 2021-22 season.
“People talk a lot and I don’t like it,” he said. “I have been giving my best to Inter and I don’t like certain words.
“I try to do my best, obviously I do not want to be on the bench, but when I came in I gave everything to Inter which is what is important here.
“I have always been quiet, working for the team, reaching out to my colleagues, focusing on my work and not listening to everything they say.
“I think of my family, my loved ones and Inter, so I have to dedicate myself all the time.”
Inter’s victory – although unsatisfactory, despite having a lot of assets, and then being shocked later by a response from athletes – keeps them in a tough race for the title.
It will add value to the already hot game against Milan when the two teams meet in the Coppa Italia semi-finals on Tuesday.
Martinez believes that Simone Inzaghi’s side seem to have turned a corner after dropping key points at the start of the new year, and stressed that their fate will now be in their own hands.
“[We feel] well,” he added. “We are doing a very good job, losing important points.
“We are now well and everything is in our hands. The road is still long, we have to recover and think on Tuesday.”
