Marotta: Inter face many Scudetto contenders, reveals Barcelona once targeted Lautaro Martinez
Quick summary
Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta says the Serie A title race is wide open with several contenders, and confirmed that Barcelona previously attempted to sign striker Lautaro Martinez.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceInter President Beppe Marotta confirms Barcelona asked for Lautaro Martinez, but ‘he represents the present and future’ of the club, while Napoli aren’t the only Scudetto contenders.
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.
This has been the battle for the last two editions of the Scudetto, with Napoli taking it in 2025 and the Nerazzurri securing the title last season.
Marotta building on Inter foundations MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: (L-R) FC Internazionale vice Sportif director Dario Baccin, Sportif director Piero Ausilio, President Giuseppe Marotta, coach Cristian Chivu and Vice President Javier Zanetti pose for a photo with the Coppa Campioni d’Italia and Coppa Italia trophies following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “It’s not just Inter and Napoli up for the Scudetto, but also Roma, Juventus and others I don’t want to forget, including Como, who are an outsider of prestige. It all means the final result is very undecided,” Marotta told DAZN Italia.
It has been an unusual few days for the Nerazzurri, with the surprising and sudden departure of director Piero Ausilio, who had been at the club in various roles since 2005.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: John Stones of Internazionale comes on as a substitute as Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of Internazionale reacts during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) However, compared to last summer when Simone Inzaghi walked away in the wake of a Champions League Final defeat, there is a relative sense of stability and confidence.
“Winning helps you to keep winning, but confirmation is also the toughest thing to do. We haven’t achieved anything yet, so if we want to make history, we need to keep digging deep for that motivation precisely because we are the team to beat, which makes every game more difficult.”
ROME, ITALY – MAY 13: Ceo of FC Internazionale Giuseppe Marotta celebrates with team after winning the Coppa Italia final match between SS Lazio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 13, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) John Stones and Curtis Jones remain on the bench, while Djed Spence is still working his way back to fitness following the move from Tottenham Hotspur.
Hakan Calhanoglu is also rested ahead of the Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Marcus Thuram of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Federico Dimarco during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Francesco Pio Esposito signed a contract extension this week, but Federico Dimarco complained he had not been approached yet to discuss a new deal.
“We have a great deal of respect for all our players, and soon we will meet with various agents to see what their needs are. There is a great sense of belonging at Inter, and together we will evaluate how to continue these rapports.”
There were reports that Barcelona had made an approach to ask for Lautaro Martinez this summer, only to be rebuffed.
“It is true, but also true that the response from us and the player was to continue together. Lautaro Martinez is the captain, he represents the present and the future of Inter, so long may he reign,” smiled Marotta.
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What happened
Inter Milan CEO Giuseppe Marotta has played down his club's status as Scudetto favorites, stating that the Serie A title race features many strong contenders this season. In the same remarks, Marotta also revealed that Barcelona had made an approach for star striker Lautaro Martinez in the past, though the Argentine forward remained committed to Inter. The comments come as Inter navigate a competitive league campaign while relying on Martinez as a key attacking figure.
Chance analysis
Marotta's downplaying of Inter's title credentials could be read as either competitive caution or an attempt to manage expectations during a tightly contested Serie A season. His confirmation of past Barcelona interest in Lautaro Martinez reinforces the striker's status as one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe and underscores Inter's achievement in retaining him. For Inter fans, the dual message is clear: the Scudetto will be hard-fought, but the club's marquee players remain central to that ambition.
Inter's title outlook is described as competitive rather than dominant, while Lautaro Martinez remains a settled, key attacking asset for the club.