What is behind Iñigo Martínez's renewal with FC Barcelona? Discover it here

FC Barcelona agreed this week to extend Iñigo Martínez's contract for one more season, until June 2026. The 33-year-old center-back has completed a spectacular second year following the arrival of Hansi Flick, taking the lead in the defense when injuries hit the squad at the start of the 2024/25 season. Alongside Pau Cubarsí, the '5' has formed a very effective duo that combines youth, talent, hierarchy, and experience.

In this sense, the Ondarroa native not only valued being able to secure a starting position but also earning the club's trust to renew, two objectives that he always knew would be difficult to achieve when he arrived at the club in the summer of 2023. "It was an important challenge, I took it that way. Through hard work and suffering, I have achieved it. It is a tremendous joy to share a locker room with these people. It feels great to be here. We hope to continue doing well," the Basque explained in an interview for 'Barça One'.

Iñigo Martínez, always grateful for Barcelona's trust

Moreover, Iñigo expressed his gratitude to the board, which trusted him from the very beginning despite coming off a last season with Athletic marked by injuries, compounded by the age factor (he will turn 34 in May). "Both my family and I are very happy to continue for one more year in this great club, which trusted me fully from the first minute. It is a pleasure to be at Barcelona, the best team in the world, and to be able to continue fighting to win many more titles," he added.

In this regard, he expressed his excitement and confidence about being able to win everything this season, although tough weeks are ahead with high-stakes matches. "It is an exciting year. It is in our hands. We are doing very well, and if we maintain our level, we will have options to win many more titles; we hope it will be so," Martínez pointed out.

So far this season, the '5' has scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists in 33 matches (2,808 minutes). So far, he has only missed 5 matches due to a muscle problem, and in La Liga, he was a starter in 20 of the 26 matches played by the team. Looking ahead to the match against Atlético this Sunday, he aims to remain in Hansi Flick's XI for a true title decider.