Ex Inter Milan Coach Recalls Social Media Blowup With Lautaro Martinez’s Father: ‘I Told Him Big Clubs Wouldn’t Tolerate These Things’ | OneFootball

Luciano Spalletti recalls how a social media incident with the father of Lautaro Martinez caused difficulties early in his time at Inter Milan.

The current Italy and former Inter, Napoli, and Roma coach looked back on the incident while speaking to journalist Giancarlo Dotto, via FCInter1908.

Luciano Spalletti spent two seasons as Inter Milan coach. He was at the club between 2017 and 2019.

Spalletti made a number of notable signings while he was in charge of the Nerazzurri.

However, perhaps the most significant player who Spalletti brought through would turn out to be striker Lautaro Martinez.

Now, Martinez is Inter’s captain. The Argentine has worn the armband since the start of the 2023-24 season.

Martinez has won the Serie A title twice with Inter. He has also guided the Nerazzurri to the Champions League final for the second time in just three seasons.

And Martinez has been Inter’s top scorer for three seasons in a row.

However, when the Argentine arrived, he still needed a period of time in which to really find his feet at Inter.

And that was the period in which Spalletti worked with Martinez.

Spalletti Recalls Social Media Blowup With Father Of Lautaro Martinez At Inter

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Spalletti looked back on his time as Inter coach. “At the start of my second season, a 20-year-old with a bright future arrived.”

“Lautaro Martinez,” the coach remembered. “Pure power, although still far from the level he’s at today.”

“Nestor Sensini, my captain when I was coaching Udinese, spoke very highly of him,” Spalletti noted.

“Then Sporting Director Piero Ausilio did very well to bring him in. He was clever to get him out of the hands of Atletico Madrid.”

Spalletti then commented that “the nickname Il Toro perfectly sums up Lautaro’s qualities.”

“Every time he receives the ball, he flares his nostrils and heads for the goal.”

“It was as if he saw the red flag of the bullfighter,” the former Inter coach said.

Spalletti then recalled that he “didn’t have any problems” with Martinez.

“But I did have some with his father. When he crossed the line with a, shall we say, colourful tweet towards me after a Champions League match.”

Martinez’s father had vented his frustration after Spalletti had substituted on Keita Balde rather than Martinez.

“I don’t give much weight to certain things,” the coach then explained. “But I explained to Lautaro that his father, in attacking me publicly, didn’t realize he was damaging his son’s image and career.”

“As well the having an effect on the dressing room,” Spalletti noted.

“In Europe, to become a top player you have to show that you know how to manage yourself,” Spalletti added.

“As well as those around you.”

“Because big clubs aren’t willing to tolerate these embarrassing situation,” Spalletti explained.