Lautaro Martinez: ‘I apologise to Inter fans, but prouder than ever’ | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez has broken his silence on Inter’s humiliating 5-0 Champions League Final defeat. ‘I apologise to you all for not being able to provide the dream we all had. I am prouder than ever to be captain of this team.’

The Nerazzurri went into their second Champions League Final in the space of three years, but while in 2023 it was a narrow 1-0 loss to Manchester City, this was a crushing 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain that left no room for doubt.

epa12147963 Lautaro Martinez (C) of Inter and Marquinhos (L) and Joao Neves (R) of PSG in action during the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano, in Munich, Germany, 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI

Having gone on international duty with Argentina, Lautaro Martinez took to Instagram today to send a message to the Inter supporters.

Lautaro Martinez message to Inter fans

“Dear, dear Interisti, I am here writing this message after a few days because the sadness, disappointment and bitterness of Saturday were and will for a while continue to be difficult sentiments to swallow.

“I apologise to you all for not being able to provide the dream we all had. I want to thank all the Nerazzurri who were with us in Munich, at San Siro, and around the world. You are always unique.

“In football, the trophies you win are what count, that is undeniable! But I believe also that taking our team into the Champions League Final twice in three years, with so much sacrifice to get there, also means a lot.

“We fought to feel these emotions again, to win titles and experience unforgettable nights like that of April 22.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale is challenged by Pau Cubarsi of FC Barcelona which results in referee Szymon Marciniak (not pictured) awarding a penalty to FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

That date was the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, where Inter fought back to eliminate Barcelona 4-3 in extra time, 7-6 on aggregate, at San Siro.

“Since the first day I arrived in Milan, I and all my teammates worked so that Inter could rediscover their place in history, so the club would get back to where it deserves to be,” continued Lautaro Martinez.

“As the quote goes, ‘there are days where being an Interista is easy, others in which it is a duty, and days when it is an honour.’ Today, it is a duty for us all to be Interisti. Today more than ever, I am proud to wear this jersey and to be captain of this team, of this squad. Forza Inter always.”

It will be a period of rebuilding for the Nerazzurri, as coach Simone Inzaghi has left to take over at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, while several players like Mehdi Taremi, Marko Arnautovic and Joaquin Correa are set to move on too.