
Inter legend Sandro Mazzola advises Alessandro Bastoni to reject a move to Barcelona, emphasizing his importance to the team. Mazzola also expresses a desire for Lautaro Martinez to stay at Inter permanently.
Inter and Italy legend hints that Bastoni should snub Barcelona
Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola believes Alessandro Bastoni should not even consider a move to Barcelona and hopes Lautaro Martinez remains at San Siro forever.
Former Inter and Italy star Mazzola advises Bastoni against joining Barcelona.
The Italian centre-back is said to be eager to join the Catalans in the summer, even though formal talks between the two clubs havenât even started.
According to Italian sources, one reason for Bastoniâs potential exit over the summer is the hostile reception he receives at Italian stadiums following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu during Inter-Juventus in February.
âWhat has he done thatâs so serious? Mistakes can happen; every player on every team makes them, but only Inter players get this kind of treatment,â Mazzola told Gazzetta.
âThe only thing I can say to him is: keep your head up and get back to work straight away.â
Asked on whether Bastoni should consider leaving Inter, the Nerazzurri legend replied: âWhere should he go? Milan is even more beautiful than Barcelona. If Luisito [Suarez] were still around, he would have confirmed that too.â
Mazzola went on to say that Italian players in the Inter team âexciteâ him, âeven though we failed to qualify for the World Cup, and thatâs a huge pain,â he noted.
âNot so much for me, since Iâve played and seen many of them, but for my grandchildren, who canât dream like kids used to. This time we were a bit unlucky, especially our Inter defender [Bastoni].â
COMO, ITALY â APRIL 12: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on before the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Just as he hopes Bastoni, who is contracted with Inter until 2028, wonât leave the club in the summer, Mazzola wishes that Lautaro Martinez would stick around until the end of his career.
âWe can only hope he stays with us for life,â the 70-year-old concluded.
Argentines sometimes want to return home, but Lautaro shouldnât get any strange ideas. In time, heâll surpass Altobelli in the number of goals, and just getting close to Meazza would already be an incredible achievement.â
Sandro Mazzola believes that Alessandro Bastoni is crucial to Inter and should prioritize his current team's success over a move to Barcelona.
Mazzola hopes that Lautaro Martinez will remain at Inter Milan for the long term, indicating his value to the club.
If Bastoni decides to stay at Inter, it could strengthen the team's defense and maintain their competitive edge in Serie A and European competitions.

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