FC Barcelona confirmed today that defender Inigo Martinez has departed the club to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. The move comes despite the 34-year-old recently signing a one-year contract extension with the Catalan giants in April 2025.

martinez arrived at Barcelona in July 2023 as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Athletic Club Bilbao. Initially facing an adjustment period under then-manager Xavi Hernandez, the veteran center-back became a pivotal figure in the team, particularly during the 2024-2025 season under Hansi Flick.

His partnership with young defender Pau Cubarsi, 17, proved instrumental in Barcelona’s success, contributing substantially to their La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup treble. Martinez’s experience and leadership were key components of a defense that conceded only 26 goals in 38 League matches.

The agreement allowing Martinez to leave was a pre-negotiated clause within his contract extension. This clause stipulated that he could depart for free should he receive a compelling offer from a Saudi Arabian club – an offer Al Nassr ultimately presented.

While Barcelona will not receive a transfer fee for Martinez, the club will realize significant savings in salary expenditure. His annual salary was reported to be approximately €5 million, according to Marca.

The increasing trend of European players, particularly those in the latter stages of their careers, moving to the Saudi Pro League reflects the league’s growing financial power and ambition. al Nassr,already home to Cristiano Ronaldo,has been aggressively recruiting high-profile players as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan,a strategic framework aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy and enhancing its global image. This influx of talent is significantly raising the profile of the Saudi Pro League and attracting increased international viewership.

Barcelona, facing ongoing financial challenges, will likely reinvest the saved salary into strengthening other areas of the squad, perhaps targeting younger players or reinforcing positions deemed critical by manager Hansi Flick. The departure of Martinez creates an opportunity for Cubarsi to further establish himself as a key member of the Barcelona defense.