Hakan Calhanoglu marked Inter’s 20th Scudetto with a pointed message to the other side of Milan, turning the title won in the derby into a personal chapter of redemption.
The Turkish midfielder joined Inter on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 after leaving Milan, a decision that made him a lasting target for many Rossoneri supporters. Once a popular figure at Milan, Calhanoglu was branded a traitor after crossing the city divide.
Milan’s Scudetto in the first season following his departure briefly gave their fans an answer of their own. Two years later, however, Calhanoglu has helped Simone Inzaghi’s Inter secure the club’s second star, with the decisive championship victory arriving against Milan in the derby.
A message after the second star
After Inter sealed their 20th league title, Calhanoglu posted an image on Instagram showing him lifting the Scudetto trophy while wearing headphones. Behind him were Milan’s Duomo and signs recalling the abuse directed at him following his move to Inter, including references to him as a “clown” and a “traitor”.
The image underlined that the midfielder has not forgotten the reaction to his 2021 departure. His accompanying message read: “Always calm, always patient, always focused, and now rewarded. Forza Inter.”
For Calhanoglu, the championship is therefore more than another medal. It closes a difficult circle that began when he left Milan without a transfer fee and has unfolded through four seasons in Nerazzurri colours, ending with Inter at the summit of Italian football.
