Barcelona’s Iñigo Martínez Joins Al Nassr on Free Transfer to Team Up with Ronaldo

Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez has completed a surprise move to Al Nassr, signing as a free agent after terminating his contract with the Catalan club one year early, the 34-year-old Spanish center-back, who was a key figure in Barcelona’s La Liga and Copa del Rey triumphs last season, departs after activating a pre-agreed clause allowing him to leave for free if a lucrative offer arose, Martínez, who rejected Saudi interest last summer, accepted Al Nassr’s proposal this time, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and recent signing João Félix in a star-studded squad, Barcelona will not receive a transfer fee but gain crucial salary relief (€14 million annually), enabling them to register new signings under La Liga’s financial rules.

Martínez bid an emotional goodbye to Barcelona teammates and fans, calling his two years at the club “wonderful” before jetting off to Saudi Arabia, His departure leaves a void in Hansi Flick’s defense, though Barça still have Ronald Araújo, Pau Cubarsí, and Eric García as alternatives, For Al Nassr, Martínez replaces Aymeric Laporte and bolsters their backline as they chase silverware under Jorge Jesus, The move underscores Saudi Arabia’s continued pull for veteran stars, with Martínez set to debut in the Saudi Pro League’s opening fixtures later this month.
Sources: ESPN, The Athletic, Barca Universal.