Mansion Sports – Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has finally spoken about the transfer rumors that had long linked him with a move that could have taken him to Barcelona.

Speaking at the Gran Gala del Calcio, the Argentine forward confirmed that interest from the Catalan giants was far more than merely a media rumor.

Confirmation of Barcelona Interest

The Inter Milan star officially confirmed that he had once been Barcelona’s primary target.

Across several transfer windows, the Argentina international was heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou, but the deal never materialized.

The forward spoke very openly about the situation, acknowledging that the opportunity to join one of the most historic clubs in the world had indeed been a reality he faced.

Speaking to the media and football figures in attendance, the 27-year-old said: “The rumors about Barcelona were true, but in the end I wanted to stay here with my teammates and my fans.”

He added: “For me, Inter is pride, happiness, and the desire to keep moving forward. I chose to stay here once again; I want to do great things at Inter. Ausilio? I am very grateful to him; he is the person who gave me confidence and this project. I will always be grateful to him.”

Loyalty to the Nerazzurri

Despite the allure of La Liga and the opportunity to spearhead one of Europe’s biggest clubs, Martinez explained that his heart remains in Milan.

The forward has built a “very strong bond” with the supporters at San Siro and within the Inter dressing room, which ultimately means more to him than the temptation to move abroad.

His decision to stay has produced tremendous results for the club, as he has helped them win various domestic trophies, including the Scudetto.

By choosing to reject the Spanish giants, he has further cemented his status as a potential club legend.

New Season with Great Ambitions

The Argentine’s focus is now entirely on the 2026-27 season as Inter seek to maintain their dominance in domestic competition.

Although he began his full fitness program late after completing international duty, expectations for his contribution remain as high as ever.

His role in the team cannot be overstated, particularly as they face challenges in Serie A and the expanded Champions League format.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu has backed his forward to reach an even higher level this season by highlighting the striker’s exceptional work ethic.

“Lautaro is our captain because he loves this shirt and this will be his ninth year with this squad,” Chivu told SportMediaSet.

“He is motivated and has a lot of ambition despite the disappointment of losing the World Cup final. He has the right ambition; he returned from the World Cup as soon as possible, shortened his holiday and only rested for a few days before returning to work. I think he is ready for a big season.”

Focus on the Future with Inter

Looking ahead, Martinez wants to put all transfer talk aside and lead Inter to greater glory.

He remains the focal point of the attack, and his goalscoring record against various Italian opponents continues to rise toward historic levels.

The bond he has described with his teammates is evident on the pitch, where he has formed deadly partnerships with various attacking partners over the years.

With his future settled and his commitment to the club reaffirmed, the Argentine is ready to continue pursuing records in the history of the game.