Unai Simón explodes and defends Iñigo Martínez amid doubts about his physical condition

Iñigo Martínez suffered an internal meniscus injury in his right knee during the match against Atlético de Madrid, which has prevented him from responding to Luis de la Fuente's call for the Spanish National Team as his estimated recovery time is two to three weeks. Incomprehensibly, on the program 'El partidazo' of Cadena COPE doubted the veracity of the defender's injury, claiming that "there is a feeling within the RFEF that he did not want to be called up again".

This rumor has caused outrage among Barcelona fans and the defender's professional colleagues. In fact, during his press conference at the concentration of La Roja, Unai Simón stepped in to defend the central defender, firmly stating that questioning the physical condition of the Basque player is "a lack of respect".

"I haven't spoken with him, but I think it's wrong to doubt a player like Iñigo Martínez," began the Athletic Club goalkeeper. The player doubled down on his stance and asserted emphatically that "if the club has issued a medical report stating that he is injured, it is a lack of respect not to listen to the player and to put the Barcelona medical staff in question".

Simón supported Martínez's decision and Barça

"(Iñigo) was very eager to come here and he couldn't due to the injury he has. It is a lack of respect that a teammate does not deserve", Simón stated, thus putting an end to the absurd and outrageous speculations that call into question the professionalism of a player who has shown impeccable commitment to the club and the national team both on and off the field.

The goalkeeper concluded his defense of Iñigo by stating that "the health of the players must be prioritized. If there is a small risk of relapse, one must stay home, recover and be ready to hopefully play in the final phase of the Nations League in June", clearly expressing his support for the player's and Barça's decision to keep him out of the call-up to preserve his physical condition. 

How long will Iñigo Martínez be out due to his injury?

Although, unlike other occasions, FC Barcelona has not provided information about how long Iñigo Martínez will be out due to his injury, various sources estimate that, given the severity of his physical setback, he is expected to be absent for a period of two to three weeks. This situation would cause him to miss a total of three matches:

• vs. Girona (30/03) - Matchday 29 of LaLiga EA Sports
• vs. Atlético de Madrid (02/04) - Return leg of the 'semis' of the Copa del Rey
• vs. Betis (05/04) - Matchday 30 of LaLiga EA Sports

It is expected that, if the aforementioned timelines are met, he could be available for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League against the Borussia Dortmund at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on the ninth of April.