The statistics prove it: Iñigo Martínez, the most solid center-back in LaLiga

Iñigo Martínez has established himself as one of the best center-backs in LaLiga in the 2024-25 season, thanks to the trust of Hansi Flick. The player from Ondarroa is, along with Jules Koundé, the most reliable defender for the German coach this season, although he has missed a couple of matches due to injury and has been a substitute in four others. 

The Basque player has played 2,043 minutes (23 matches) in the tournament this season, reflecting his importance as a regular starter. Moreover, the '5' is the player in LaLiga with the highest percentage of duels won, with an impressive 74.2% that allows him to surpass Nayef Aguerd (72%) and Dani Ceballos (69.6%).

This highlights his ability to dominate in one-on-one duels, an essential quality for an elite center-back. Additionally, Iñigo leads Barcelona with 81 clearances in LaLiga and the Champions League, showcasing his ability to neutralize dangerous plays and keep the goal safe. In terms of interceptions and blocks, he has a total of 16, while he has also participated in 5 LaLiga matches where Barcelona did not concede goals, an indicator of his impact on the defensive organization.

Iñigo Martínez, a guarantee for the Blaugrana defense

On the other hand, Martínez has not made any mistakes that have directly led to goals against and his pass completion percentage hovers around 91% (approximately 93.94 passes per match with a 91.23% success rate). This makes him a reliable center-back both in defense and in ball progression.

So far, only Pau Cubarsí (2,073 out of 2,224, 93.21%) has completed more passes than Iñigo in LaLiga 2024-25. The Basque player, however, has a slightly higher success rate than his teammate, with 1,842 successful passes out of 2,019 attempts. 

And, regarding offensive contributions, although it is not his main role, he has provided 3 assists in 23 LaLiga matches and scored 2 goals in the Champions League, as well as another in the Cup, a clear example of his versatility. In aerial play, the '5' asserts his authority in both boxes.

Iñigo has earned his place at Barça

Compared to other standout center-backs in LaLiga, such as Dani Vivian (Athletic Club) or Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Martínez stands out for his combination of defensive aggression, leadership, and technical quality. For example, while Vivian averages 4.1 clearances per match and Rüdiger is noted for his physical strength, the player from Ondarroa leads in duels won and has a more comprehensive impact on Barcelona's play.

In this sense, the statistics and his key role in a leading LaLiga team confirm that Iñigo Martínez is among the best center-backs not only in LaLiga but in all of Europe in 2024-25. His quality, experience, and the ability to overcome the physical problems that hampered his performance in his last two seasons with Athletic, along with Flick's trust, have been crucial for the Basque player to return to his best version, just when Barça needed him the most.