The future of Inter Milan's defensive stalwart Alessandro Bastoni is heating up in Italian football circles, and now a true club legend has added his voice to the chorus urging the star to stay put.

Just hours after former Inter striker Christian Vieri advised Bastoni to follow both his heart and his head, another iconic figure—World Cup winner Marco Materazzi—delivered an even more direct message to the center-back amid persistent links with Barcelona.

Speaking at the Lega Serie A charity gala dinner, the legendary defender didn't mince words when the topic of Bastoni's future came up. Materazzi, who lifted every major trophy during Inter's golden era, made a passionate plea for loyalty to the Nerazzurri project.

"What would I say to him? To stay at Inter, because we know how passionate he is about this club," Materazzi said, as reported by SPORT.

The former Italy international acknowledged the ups and downs of the current season but left no doubt about Bastoni's importance to the squad. "It's been a somewhat unusual and difficult year, but his worth is beyond doubt. So, it's up to him to make certain decisions that would motivate me, but knowing his character, perhaps they'll motivate him too," he added.

While no official negotiations have taken place between Barcelona and Inter Milan, Bastoni's name continues to appear on the Camp Nou radar. For now, though, the 25-year-old remains fully focused on finishing the season strong with Inter. After already securing the Serie A title, he's now chasing a historic domestic double by winning the Coppa Italia—a feat that would only strengthen his legacy at the club.

Whether Bastoni stays in the iconic black and blue stripes or eventually dons the Blaugrana, one thing is clear: his commitment to Inter this season speaks volumes about his character and passion for the game.