Lautaro Martinez Declines to Do the Lukaku Celebration, Unfollows Him on Instagram

• Lautaro Martinez has reiterated that the friendship he had with Romelu Lukaku is over
• Marcus Thuram attempted to get the Inter Milan captain to do the celebration he had with Lukaku
• Lukaku's decision to ghost last season's Champions League finalists did not go down well with Martinez

Lautaro Martinez declined the invitation to do the famous celebration he had with his former strike partner, Romelu Lukaku.

The pair fell out during the transfer window after it emerged that Lukaku was playing hardball with Inter Milan over a potential return to the club.

Reports indicated that the Belgian striker had even accepted Juventus' offer to join them, sparking angry sections from Inter Milan's hierarchy and its players.

Martinez was particularly hurt by Lukaku's actions, given that the two enjoyed a close relationship on and off the pitch. The duo combined effectively to win the Scudetto under Antonio Conte in 2021.

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"I was disappointed, it's the truth. I also tried to call him in those days of chaos, but he never answered me, the same he did with my other teammates. After so many years together, after so many things lived together, I was disappointed. But it's his choice. I wish him the best. But I didn't expect this attitude," said Martinez in July, as quoted by Marca.

Martinez says no to the Lukaku celebration

And so when Lukaku's replacement, Marcus Thuram, attempted to do the celebration with Martinez on September 3, Martinez declined to reciprocate, indicating, 'I no longer do that.'

"Did Thuram imitate my celebration with Lukaku? I don’t celebrate like that anymore. I unfollowed Lukaku on social media," as quoted by Inter Extra.

The Argentine striker, who is the new Nerazzuri skipper, scored twice against Fiorentina to take his tally for the season to five goals.

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Lukaku's deal to Juventus failed to materialise and he has since joined AS Roma. Inter Milan will come up against Roma at the end of October in what is set to be an awkward reunion.

Mourinho's old comments on Lukaku

Sports Brief also reported on Mourinho's previous comments on Lukaku after it emerged the Belgian striker had accepted the Italian capital as his next destination.

The Special One briefly managed the striker and made a disparity between the two times, claiming despite being a man, there is still a kid in the man who needs love.