Lautaro Martinez has revealed he "spent two days crying" after going off injured in the first leg of Inter's Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Martinez injured in first leg

'Spent two days crying'

Miraculously recovered for second leg

WHAT HAPPENED?

Martinez strained his thigh during the first half of Inter's 3-3 draw with Barcelona at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and had to be substituted during the break. He missed out on several training sessions in the days after, before making a surprise return to team activities on Monday and ultimately earning a start for the second leg of the semi-final tie at San Siro. Now he's opened up about the mental toll of the injury and the worry it caused his family.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Martinez's rapid recovery in time for the second leg was labelled a 'miracle', and he proved crucial in helping defeat Hansi Flick's Barca side and secure passage into a second Champions League final in three years for Inter, scoring the opener and winning a penalty that put the Milan club two goals up at half time. Inter eventually won the game 4-3 after extra-time to win the tie 7-6 on aggregate.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Martinez told Sky Sports: “I was struggling a bit—I couldn’t even lift my leg. I spent the first two days after the injury in Barcelona crying at home. I did double training sessions all week and tried to recover. A tight bandage and straight onto the field. That’s just how I am. In games like this, you have to be there. I cried with my wife and kids at home, but I promised them I'd play. Even my mom was worried - she called me all morning, but I didn't answer because she suffers so much."