Inter Milan suffered a shocking 2-0 loss to Flamengo as the Serie A giants crashed out of the FIFA Club World Cup in the round of 16.
Lautaro Martinez was visibly upset by the loss and took out his frustration on midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, even though he did not name names.
The Turkey international, who was not in the squad, is reportedly angling for a move away from the San Siro.
Martinez said (via journalist Gianluca Di Marzio): “We gave everything in training. I am so sorry. But I want to say one thing. You have to want to stay here. We fight for objectives.
“Those who don’t want to stay here must leave. I am speaking in general. I have seen many things that I did not like as a captain. I say that. I am like this.
“I want to fight for objectives. We are an important team, and in recent years, we have brought it back to the top.
“I want to continue like this. Those who want to stay, stay. Those who do not want to, see you later.”
Martinez tried to keep things civil by not mentioning names, but Inter president Giuseppe Marotta ensured there were no doubts about who he was speaking about.
“It was for Hakan Calhanoglu,” the revered transfer chief said (via journalist Fabrizio Romano) about the message from Martinez.
Calhanoglu has reportedly wants to move to Galatasaray, but the clubs have not agreed a deal as the Nerazzurri do not want to let him go for a cheap price.
Inter have already signed Petar Sucic and placed a bid for Nicolo Rovella, but won’t do Gala any favours in their bid to take the 31-year-old.
The 20-time Serie A champions are planning a massive rebuild this summer, looking to refresh an ageing squad with younger players, and they need as much as they can garner from sales.
Calhanoglu may be thinking that signing for Inter for free entitles him to an automatic move away, but the Champions League finalists have other ideas.
