Barcelona defender Gerard Martín has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome a first-leg deficit in their upcoming Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid. “We believe in the remontada; if anyone can achieve it, it’s us. We’re going for it,” Martín stated, according to reports circulating following a team training session on Thursday.
The statement comes as Barcelona prepares to host Atlético Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, seeking to overturn a disadvantage from the first leg. Martín, who has become a regular feature in Hansi Flick’s squad, has been increasingly deployed as a left-sided centre-back this season, demonstrating versatility that the coach values.
Martín’s rise within the club has been rapid. He joined Barça Atlètic in the summer of 2023, quickly establishing himself and earning opportunities with the first team in the 2024/25 season. He featured in eight Champions League games and 28 league matches last season, contributing to Barcelona’s championship run. This season, he has become a fully integrated member of the first-team squad.
The 23-year-old defender began his career at EF Performance and Sant Gabriel before progressing to UE Cornellà, where he played in the senior team starting in 2021/22. He signed a two-year contract with Barcelona B in July 2023, having been identified as a key defensive player at Cornellà under Rafael Márquez. His La Liga debut came on August 17, 2024, as a substitute against Valencia.
Martín scored his first professional goal on March 2, 2025, in a 4–0 victory over Real Sociedad, a goal set up by a cross from Dani Olmo. Currently valued at €20.00m, the left-back, who is also capable of playing centre-back, has made 48 appearances for Barcelona, scoring one goal, as of February 16, 2026. He also has three caps for the Spain U21 team.
Barcelona’s squad currently includes Joan García and Wojciech Szczesny as goalkeepers, and a defensive line featuring João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín, Jules Koundé, and Eric García. The team is coached by Hansi Flick, with Marcus Sorg, Toni Tapalovic, and Heiko Westermann serving as assistant coaches.
