The former Inter Milan president was asked by Spanish newspaper AS whether the current leadership still seeks his advice on recruitment. His response made clear that he has no desire to become involved in the club’s day-to-day decisions.
“I am already hiding. I do not answer. I do not want to be involved in anything. I always try to stay out of it so as not to interfere. I am outside the world of football, although I watch it,” Moratti said.
One of the subjects raised was Lautaro Martinez, who was linked with Barcelona during the recent transfer discussions. Moratti backed Inter’s decision to retain their captain, describing the Argentina international as part of the club’s identity.
“It is understandable that Inter put up a wall around their captain and great icon. Lautaro is Inter history. It is normal that they decided not to sell him. Perhaps he will retire there,” he said.
His comments underline the importance he places on the relationship between a club and its leading players.
The interview also returned to two players Moratti hoped to sign during his time in charge. Lionel Messi was a long-standing admiration, although he said he never pushed aggressively to prise the forward away from Barcelona.
“Yes, although I knew about the affection between the club and the player, to be honest I did not insist too much. I do not consider it a failure because, as I said, I did not force the issue. I admit, though, that in those years he was one of my weaknesses. I admired him enormously,” Moratti said.
But Messi was not the player he described as his greatest unattained dream. That distinction belonged to former Manchester United and France forward Eric Cantona.
“The great forbidden dream was Eric Cantona. A fantastic player,” Moratti said.
His recollections offer a glimpse into the ambitions that shaped his presidency, while his comments on Lautaro show that his attachment to Inter remains strong.
He may prefer to keep his distance from recruitment decisions, but he continues to follow the club and believes its current leadership made the right call in protecting its captain.