Iñigo Martínez is leaving Barcelona, and his next stop is already set: Al-Nassr, the Saudi club where Cristiano Ronaldo plays. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the move, and it’s stirred up the European soccer market. Not only because of who he is, but because this transfer is going to affect Barcelona right away, on and off the field.
For Barça, it’s one of those situations with two sides. There’s a positive and a negative, and you’ll get why as we go along.
A departure that helps in more than one way
Martínez was a regular starter last season, but he missed the final two matches of the preseason tour in Japan and South Korea with muscle fatigue. That absence already felt like a sign something was going on. Behind the scenes, the board saw an opportunity. Letting him go would ease the wage bill and give the club room to register players who are already in the squad but still waiting for clearance to play — a recurring headache at the start of almost every season because of La Liga’s financial restrictions. Estimates say his exit will free up about €14 million, and that’s a big deal for a club in Barcelona’s situation.
Then there’s the downside. He’s leaving for nothing. No transfer fee at all. If Al-Nassr had actually paid for him, it would’ve been the perfect outcome, space on the payroll and some extra money in the bank.
Martínez arrived in Barcelona in July 2023 after his contract with Athletic Bilbao expired the previous month. No transfer fee then either. It was a smart, low-cost signing to strengthen the defense without touching the budget. Just a year later, the same kind of move happens again, but this time it’s a reminder of how unpredictable top-level soccer can be.
The Al-Nassr pull
By joining Al-Nassr, Martínez becomes part of a trend that’s grown a lot recently. Experienced players who could still play in Europe are heading to Saudi Arabia instead. The draw is obvious — high salaries, modern facilities, and the appeal of sharing the pitch with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo. For Al-Nassr, bringing in a center-back with La Liga and international experience means a stronger defense and more leadership on the field.
From Martínez’s point of view, it’s a new challenge. He’s leaving one of the most traditional leagues in the world for a competition that’s growing fast but still building its global status. His contract runs until 2027, giving him stability, and having other well-known names in the squad should make adapting easier. When the deal ends, he’ll be 34, and he’ll have to decide whether to finish his career there or go for one last run somewhere else in soccer.