Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus welcome Al-Nassr’s newest reinforcement after Joao Felix: Barcelona stalwart set to join Saudi Pro League revolution

In what has become a recurring pattern in the Saudi Pro League's ambitious evolution, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have pulled off another unexpected coup.

In what has become a recurring pattern in the Saudi Pro League’s ambitious evolution, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have pulled off another unexpected coup. Following the headline-grabbing arrival of Joao Felix, the Riyadh-based club has now sealed the signature of a La Liga veteran—a player who was a trusted presence at Barcelona and a favorite under Hansi Flick.

The transfer, which unfolded rapidly over the span of just a few hours, is set to significantly alter the landscape of both the Saudi Pro League and Barcelona’s defensive outlook.

As Barcelona continues its turbulent summer of squad restructuring, one of its most experienced defenders has reached an agreement to leave the club. The move allows the Catalan side to alleviate financial pressure, particularly in light of their La Liga registration struggles, and potentially enables them to finalize the addition of new players like Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford.

The player in question is Inigo Martinez, a 34-year-old veteran of Spanish football, who is now set to join Al-Nassr on a free transfer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is done and dusted: “Here we go. Inigo Martinez to Al-Nassr, contract until 2026 with an option for 2027.”

Martinez has already been given permission by Barcelona to miss training and finalize the move. His departure is not only a surprise in sporting terms but also a significant shift in the leadership dynamic at Camp Nou—he had been tipped to join the captaincy group this season, with young star Pau Cubarsi previously stating that “he’d make a great captain.”

From La Liga glory to Saudi ambitions

Inigo Martinez’s last season at Barcelona was anything but a swan song. He was a key figure in a defense that helped Barcelona win a domestic treble—La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup. Under Hansi Flick, the Basque defender reestablished himself as a dependable presence, rarely putting a foot wrong and emerging as a locker room leader.

His sudden departure has understandably raised eyebrows, with Flick himself reportedly caught off guard by how quickly negotiations unfolded. Just a day before the news broke, Martinez was still participating in team activities, albeit with limited involvement in the club’s pre-season tour in Asia. According to Gerard Romero, the deal moved at lightning pace: “Within 30 minutes of Al-Nassr’s proposal, Barcelona had fully accepted the terms.”