Iñigo Martínez’s departure from Barcelona last summer was one of the biggest surprises of the transfer market. He opted to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr at the last minute, accepting lucrative offers that exceeded any European bids. This decision left a clear void in Barcelona’s defense, especially during Hansi Flick’s first season, as the team had relied heavily on his experience and defensive stability.
Nearly six months later, the center-back is back in the spotlight after speaking candidly about his future and the possibility of returning to Camp Nou. On the “Fanzone” program with Gerard Romero, Iñigo addressed the matter directly, explaining that financial considerations are the main obstacle:
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“I can’t go back to Barcelona. It’s impossible for Laporta to spend that much money.”
This statement makes it clear that the door is closed not for sporting or emotional reasons, but due to a harsh financial reality. Despite this, he expressed his complete satisfaction with his current situation at Al-Nassr: “I’m very happy at Al-Nassr,” while acknowledging the impact of his time at Barcelona: “It was the best year of my professional career… I truly understood the Barcelona spirit.”
Iñigo also expressed his interest in following Barcelona’s defensive development from afar, praising academy graduate Gerard Martín: “He’s having a fantastic season… I’m happy to see young defenders from the academy, and I hope he continues to shine.”
The player’s message was clear: his time at Barcelona is over, and a return would remain impossible except under unrealistic financial circumstances. Laporta and the club’s fans understood this perfectly, yet Iñigo’s love for the club and his commitment to supporting young talent remain unchanged.
