Barcelona Announce Inigo Martinez Exit

FC Barcelona has officially announced the departure of central defender Iñigo Martínez, who is set to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. The move comes after Martínez, 34, recently signed a contract extension with Barcelona that included a clause allowing him to leave for free if a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League arrived.

Martínez initially joined Barcelona as a free agent in 2023 after his contract with Athletic Club expired. He had a mixed first season under former coach Xavi Hernández, but his performance improved significantly in his second season under Hansi Flick. He became a key figure in the defense, forming a strong partnership with young player Pau Cubarsí and helping the club secure a domestic treble last season, which included La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The decision to leave is reportedly a financial one for Martínez, as the deal with Al-Nassr is said to offer him a significant increase in salary. For Barcelona, the transfer is a way to alleviate some of their ongoing financial pressures. While they will not receive a transfer fee, the move frees up a considerable amount of salary space, which is expected to help the club with the registration of new players.

The club expressed its gratitude to Martínez for his professionalism and dedication during his two seasons with the team and wished him well in his new journey. The departure leaves Barcelona with several defensive options, including Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Eric García, and Pau Cubarsí, as the club looks to reorganize its backline for the upcoming season.