{"id":97283,"date":"2025-08-09T20:57:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weisetech.dev\/fc-barcelona-noticias\/en\/inigo-martinez-leaves-fc-barcelona-and-signs-for-nassr_314008_102\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T22:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T20:39:00","slug":"inigo-martinez-leaves-fc-barcelona-and-signs-for-nassr_314008_102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com\/en\/transfers\/inigo-martinez-leaves-fc-barcelona-and-signs-for-nassr_314008_102.html","title":{"rendered":"OFFICIAL: I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez Leaves FC Barcelona and Signs for Al Nassr"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez rescinds his contract with FC Barcelona and leaves for Al Nassr on a free transfer until 2026, freeing up \u20ac7 million net in salary margin. Discover how this departure affects the ‘cul\u00e9s’<\/h2> \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Calendar of FC Barcelona <\/a>\r\n<\/div>

I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> will no longer wear the colors of FC Barcelona<\/strong>. The defender from Ondarroa, who arrived at the club in 2023 from Athletic Club, has agreed with the ‘Azulgrana’ team to terminate his contract early to embark on a new adventure at Al Nassr<\/strong> in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>

This is an unexpected transfer that was arranged in just 24 hours, as confirmed by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano<\/strong>. The agreement frees up key salary space for the ‘cul\u00e9’ entity to register its new signings this summer.<\/p>

The veteran center-back, who was a key player in Hansi Flick’s starting eleven last season and won the LaLiga<\/strong> title, only played 45 minutes against Vissel Kobe in the pre-season Asian tour with the ‘cul\u00e9s’.<\/p>

At 34 years old, I\u00f1igo understands that it is time to seek new challenges and has accepted the Saudi offer, signing until June 2026<\/strong> with an option to extend for one more season.<\/p>

The operation, which occurs at ‘zero cost’, will allow Bar\u00e7a<\/strong> to save around 7 million euros net<\/strong> in salaries and reduce the wage bill to register players like Joan Garc\u00eda and Marcus Rashford<\/a>.<\/p>

Without I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez, Bar\u00e7a loses a pillar in defense<\/h2>

I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez arrived at Bar\u00e7a to reinforce a defense that had been weakened after the departure of Gerard Piqu\u00e9<\/strong>. In his first season, he won the affection of the fans thanks to his grit and leadership; although he was not an undisputed starter for Xavi Hern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>

After the departure of the ‘Egaresen’ last summer, Hansi Flick placed his trust in the ‘5’, given Ronald Araujo’s injury and Andreas Christensen’s physical problems. In total, the player from Ondarroa played 71 official matches with Bar\u00e7a, scoring 3 goals and providing 6 assists<\/strong>. His record includes the national treble won in the 24\/25 season.<\/p>

With the consolidation of new talents like Pau Cubars\u00ed<\/strong> and the commitment to Ronald Araujo<\/strong>, the ‘Azulgrana’ sports management understood that they could do without a veteran to alleviate the wage bill.<\/p>

The player himself admitted in statements to ‘<\/i>SPORT‘<\/i><\/b> that saying goodbye has been “a busy but beautiful process” and that he leaves “grateful for these two wonderful years”.<\/p>

Before flying to Arabia, the defender met with his teammates at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to say goodbye and had lunch at La Bonaigua with Dani Olmo, Eric Garc\u00eda, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Oriol Romeu<\/strong>. With words of affection, he wished “the best” to the dressing room he leaves behind and sent a message of gratitude to the fans.<\/p>

An unexpected signing heading to Saudi Arabia<\/h2>

Mart\u00ednez’s transfer to Al Nassr<\/strong> was completed with unusual speed. Initially, the player hoped to fulfill the year of contract he had remaining, but a call from Riyadh changed the landscape.<\/p>

The Saudi club offers him a competitive salary and the possibility of sharing a dressing room with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong>, while Bar\u00e7a benefits from freeing up his salary.<\/p>

According to sources close to the operation, Matteo Moretto was the first journalist to warn of Saudi interest, and Fabrizio Romano gave the famous \u00abhere we go\u00bb that confirms the agreement<\/strong>.<\/p>

The center-back will sign until June 2026, with an option to extend for one more year, and will join the squad led by Jorge Jesus. His arrival reinforces an ambitious project that seeks to compete in the Saudi Pro League<\/strong> and the AFC Champions League<\/strong>.<\/p>

For Mart\u00ednez, it also means securing the last big contract of his career<\/strong> and experiencing a growing football scene, after having won everything in Spain.<\/p>

Impact on Bar\u00e7a’s planning and signings<\/h2>

Mart\u00ednez’s departure is a piece of Bar\u00e7a’s economic ‘puzzle’. The release of his salary will allow the registration of Joan Garc\u00eda<\/strong>, a young center-back from Girona, and the English forward Marcus Rashford<\/strong>, whose arrival has generated great excitement among the ‘cul\u00e9’ fans.<\/p>

In addition, lightening the defensive payroll will prevent other defenders like Andreas Christensen<\/strong> or Ronald Araujo<\/strong> from leaving the club, as sports director Deco<\/strong> had advanced.<\/p>

With this operation, FC Barcelona reinforces its commitment to the youth academy<\/strong> and takes another step in the financial recovery demanded by LaLiga<\/strong>.<\/p>

Hansi Flick<\/strong> must now reconfigure his defense, probably with Pau Cubars\u00ed and Araujo as the starting pair<\/strong>, while awaiting the return of Jules Kound\u00e9<\/strong> after his renewal. The context also opens the door to minutes for young promises from La Masia<\/strong>, who could debut in the first team.<\/p>

Reaction of the ‘cul\u00e9’ fans and his teammates<\/h3>

On social media, many Bar\u00e7a fans showed surprise and sadness<\/strong> at the departure of a player who, although he arrived in the maturity of his career, left his mark due to his competitive character.<\/p>

Messages of support and gratitude flooded the official accounts of the ‘Blaugrana’ club<\/strong>. Some fans applaud the decision for the economic savings and for the opportunity to see new promises, while others lament the loss of experience in decisive matches. In a few minutes, the official announcement of Barcelona on ‘X’ exceeded 2,000 ‘likes’ and a hundred comments.<\/p>

El FC Barcelona anuncia la salida de \ud835\udc08\ud835\udc27\u0303\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc20\ud835\udc28 \ud835\udc0c\ud835\udc1a\ud835\udc2b\ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc22\ud835\udc27\ud835\udc1e\ud835\udc33

Queremos agradecerle muy sinceramente su profesionalidad, esfuerzo, dedicaci\u00f3n y compromiso<\/p> \u2014 FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 9, 2025<\/a> <\/blockquote> <\/div>

Within the dressing room, the departure of I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> is experienced with mixed emotions. Ferran Torres and Pedri<\/strong> dedicated affectionate messages to him on Instagram, highlighting his leadership and companionship.<\/p>

Ronald Araujo<\/strong>, for his part, assured that \u00abI\u00f1igo helped us grow as defenders and his advice will always be valuable\u00bb. These farewells demonstrate the human impact that the Basque leaves in his brief stage as a ‘cul\u00e9’.<\/p>

Context of the transfer market and Saudi boom<\/h2>

The transfer of Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> is part of the growing trend of European players<\/strong> who choose the Saudi championship attracted by lucrative contracts and competitive projects.<\/p>

Al Nassr already has figures like Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong> and, in recent months, has incorporated world-renowned footballers. This investment is part of the country’s strategy to boost local football and attract international attention.<\/p>

For FC Barcelona<\/strong>, the operation is a precedent on how to manage the departures of veterans to comply with ‘<\/em>Fair Play‘<\/em> financial<\/strong>.<\/p>

In a summer marked by impact signings like Rashford’s<\/strong> and the consolidation of Lamine Yamal<\/strong> as a great reference for the first team, every move counts. The board continues to work to balance sporting competitiveness and economic stability.<\/p>

An end of cycle with gratitude and hope<\/h2>

I\u00f1igo Mart\u00ednez thus concludes a short but significant stage at Camp Nou<\/strong>. His defensive firmness, his leadership in the dressing room, and his professionalism will remain in the memory.<\/p>

The farewell, full of emotion and good wishes, reflects the close relationship he established with his teammates and with the fans. “I can only thank you for these two wonderful years,” declared the center-back before embarking.<\/p>

While Mart\u00ednez begins a new adventure in Arabia, FC Barcelona is focused on preparing for the start of the 2025\/26 season<\/strong> with the ambition of revalidating the League title and competing strongly in Europe again.<\/p>