Iñigo Martínez: why he chose Arabia and what would have kept him at Barcelona

Iñigo Martínez spoke for the first time extensively about his departure from FC Barcelona. A highly surprising move, with the Ondarroa native being one of the key names in the Azulgrana squad, but one that is well-founded for several reasons, as the defender explained in an interview with Onda Vasca.

The defender acknowledged that he understood the widespread astonishment: "Let's see, it caught many people by surprise. And apart from the fact that the fans liked me, I generated that illusion... In the end, my departure surprised them, but these are things of football and nowadays we are used to changes from one day to the next."

Iñigo Martínez and the economic reason behind his departure from Barcelona

The brand new Al-Nassr signing did not hesitate to admit that his decision to join the Knights of Najd was in response to the option of signing his last big contract as a professional: "Economically, that league cannot be compared to any other today. Seeing my career and what I had achieved, it was the moment to take the step. A player's career is short: I am 34 years old and these trains pass once, if they pass at all, and it is difficult to say no," he emphasized.

"Economically, that league cannot be compared to any other today"

He also elaborated on how shocking it was to receive the proposal: "The moment you see the offer, you don't believe it: nobody is prepared for that. I had been a pawn in football. You have to be there to know what something like that is."

Although he recalled that at Barcelona his salary was also important: "I would surely have thought about continuing if I had had more years of contract with Barça. My salary was important, it was not low, and we were comfortable. Whether you like it or not, coming to this country... it's hard to make this decision; not only dragging my wife, but also my children. Everything changes."

"I would surely have thought about continuing if I had had more years of contract with Barça. My salary was important, it was not low"

The chat with Hansi Flick and the emotional farewell from the dressing room

The former Athletic Club player related how he told Hansi Flick about his decision and the German coach's reaction after learning that he would be leaving for Saudi Arabia: "I spoke with Flick on the way back from the tour because I didn't want to... we had enough with how everything was going. People were somewhat agitated and I didn't want more things. On the way back to Barcelona I was honest with him, because I knew he would understand me perfectly. I had one year left on my contract, I am 34 years old... Damn! These opportunities rarely come along and it is difficult to say no. It caught him by surprise, but he understood it from minute two."

The conversation, according to him, was relaxed: "It was a pleasant chat and I felt very sorry because there was a mutual appreciation. It was sad at the same time. It was not tense, but very emotional. You see that the moment of being together is over and that he was not going to have me in the group. He knew how important I was to him."

Already with the dressing room, Iñigo Martínez experienced a farewell that he described as special: "It was a very emotional farewell. I kept my composure because I know myself, I make myself strong, but inside I was affected. They were too. I have had an exceptional departure; they have always supported me."

And he made a brief review of his time as a blaugrana:

"It was not easy at the beginning due to the injuries, but in the following year I overcame it by far. In a short time I gained a lot of affection. It is not the amount of time, but the quality"

The thorn he was left with as a Barcelona player

Finally, the Basque made it clear what was his only pending account as a player of the Catalan team: "The only thorn I take away is not being able to see the new stadium: I wanted to be in the new Camp Nou and see it."