I couldn’t speak for five days’ — Lautaro Martinez recalls reaction to losing UCL final 5-0 to PSG

Lautaro Martinez has opened up on the emotional toll of Inter Milan’s crushing Champions League Final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, admitting he was left speechless for nearly a week after the 5-0 humiliation.

The Inter captain described the feeling as one of “helplessness” as the Nerazzurri’s hopes of European glory collapsed in devastating fashion.

For Inter, the journey to the final had been nothing short of dramatic. Just two years earlier, they had pushed Manchester City all the way in a narrow 1-0 loss, showing resilience and belief.

This season, they looked determined to go one better, even stunning Barcelona in a dramatic 7-6 aggregate win in the semi-final.

But when it mattered most, their dream unraveled spectacularly. PSG, who had never lifted the Champions League before, produced a ruthless display, leaving Inter powerless and Simone Inzaghi’s reign in tatters.

The crushing defeat not only ended their European campaign but also capped off a season without silverware, ultimately leading to the coach’s departure to Saudi side Al-Hilal.

Speaking to France Football after his Ballon d’Or nomination, Lautaro Martinez revealed just how deeply the final affected him.

“I couldn’t speak for five days after the Champions League Final against PSG. I was blocked, distressed, and sad,” he admitted.

Despite Inter’s strong preparations and sense of calm going into the match, nothing translated on the pitch. “Helplessness is the right word for how we felt,” he continued. “We couldn’t do any of what we had worked on, and that annoyed us the most.”

Lautaro, who has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina, will be hoping to repeat such successes at club level with Inter this season after recent disappointments.