Inter star Hakan Calhanoglu admits he ‘can’t forget’ what Milan fans did when he joined the Nerazzurri and insists the Serie A title is a ‘revenge’ he deserved to take.
The Turkey international released an interview with Il Giornale following Inter’s Serie A title victory on Monday.
The Nerazzurri clinched their 20th Scudetto after a 2-1 win over city rivals Milan, Calhanoglu’s former club.
“I am happy and proud to have reached this extraordinary target,” the Turkey international told Il Giornale, as quoted by fcinter1908.it.
“We strongly wanted the second star, and we deserved this achievement for the amazing work we did together. I’ve rewatched videos of celebrations with the fans and I still can’t believe it. It’s such a big joy that it can’t be described.”
Calhanoglu responded to abuse from Milan fans on Instagram minutes after Inter’s double victory on Monday.
The experienced midfielder has been insulted by his former fans since joining the Nerazzurri on a free transfer in 2021.
“I’ve always worked in silence and suffered too,” he said.
“My only target at Inter was to give my best and win with this extraordinary team. Yesterday’s win was a great revenge for me.
Calhanoglu ‘can’t forget what Milan fans did’
“It was revenge because of the suffering I endured when I arrived and we lost [the Serie A title]. I can’t forget what Milan fans did to my family and me, but I knew in my heart that everything would have finished well,” he continued.
“To win the title in the derby was the biggest satisfaction. It was all written. God wanted it because he knew I deserved it.”
Calhanoglu has scored 25 goals in 132 appearances with Inter and the Scudetto is his sixth trophy at the club after two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italiana. He has inspired this season’s title victory with 11 goals and three assists in 29 Serie A appearances.
The Turkey international’s contract at the Stadio Meazza runs out in June 2027.