Inigo Martinez, the newest Barcelona star, brings a range of skills and experiences to the team. While he may already be a well-known name in Spanish football, here are five things you may not know about him.
Firstly, Martinez has a unique talent for scoring goals from his own half. His first-ever goal in the top-flight was a memorable one, as he scored the consolation goal for Real Sociedad in a Basque Derby against Athletic Club in October 2011. What’s more impressive is that he replicated that feat one month later, scoring another long-range goal to secure a dramatic 3-2 win over Real Betis. Martinez’s incredible long-range strikes drew praise from former Real Sociedad legend Xabi Alonso, who hailed him as an idol on Twitter.
Secondly, Martinez has represented Spain at various levels, from youth to senior level. He made his debut with Spain’s U20 side in 2011 and earned his first senior cap in 2013. With 20 international appearances and one goal to his name, Martinez has had a solid career representing his country. However, his participation in the 2012 Olympic Games was marred by an early red card against Japan on his tournament debut.
Thirdly, Martinez made an unconventional move across the Basque Derby divide. After spending several years with Real Sociedad, he joined Athletic Club in January 2018 for a club-record fee of €32 million. It’s worth noting that not many players have made the switch between the two clubs at the senior level, making Martinez’s transfer a significant move. While his decision received criticism from Real Sociedad fans, Martinez showed great sportsmanship when he faced his former teammates in the rescheduled 2020 Copa del Rey final, congratulating them despite the disappointment of losing 1-0.
Fourthly, Martinez holds the distinction of being Athletic Club’s most expensive player of all time. The club spent €32 million to secure his services, surpassing the previous record set by Yuri Berchiche’s €24 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018. During his time with Athletic Club, Martinez established himself as a key player, making 177 appearances and scoring eight goals across various competitions.
Lastly, Martinez is only the second player in history to have played for Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, and FC Barcelona. While the Bilbao to Barcelona transfer was once more common, with players like Andoni Zubizarreta, Julio Salinas, and coach Ernesto Valverde making the move decades ago, Martinez is among the few recent players to accomplish this feat. He follows in the footsteps of Jon Andoni Goikoetxea, who won the 1992 European Cup with Barcelona between spells with the two Basque clubs. Other notable players who have represented both Barcelona and Real Sociedad include Claudio Bravo and Antoine Griezmann.
Inigo Martinez’s arrival at Barcelona brings a player with an impressive goal-scoring ability, international experience, and a record-breaking transfer fee. As he becomes part of the team, his skills on the pitch and his versatility as a left-sided centre-back will undoubtedly strengthen Barcelona’s defense. Only time will tell how Martinez will fare and contribute to the success of the team.
