Former marciethad, Athletic Club and Barcelona defender Nigo Martinez has spoken about his absence from the Spanish national team, and his decision to quit the club in March. The 34-year-old defender was included by Luis de La Fuente in the Nations Quarter-Finals against the Netherlands, but he threw due to pain in his knee, some criticized him.
The Basque Center-Back is one of the leaders of the Barcelona Defense Shoon last season, one that has been struggling without him. However, Martinez told Chadena Cope that he is confident Barcelona will be in contention for the title until the final weeks of the season. He also said that there is little need to panic following their defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
“The second half was not good, but we are talking about PSG. Luis Enrique knows Barca well, and they have a good team. In an important year we had a dip, and we got money.”
‘If I didn’t want to go, I would have said so’ – Martinez in Spain at work
Despite appearing for Spain 21 times in the past, some suggested that Martinez had left the team because he no longer wanted to play for La Roja.
“If I didn’t want to go, I would have said so first. I will not waste my time … I have always had the best conditions, and, obviously, I had the knee, and … You don’t always play at 100%. There was a risk of injury or things getting worse, you evaluate yourself at that time. I don’t think this is the first case, or the last.
The data shows Barça Rank 15th in Laliga for the distance covered, below the previous title winning rates under Xavi and Flick. @xavierbosch
– Barcantre (@barcacentre) October 16, 2025
Finally, Martinez was seen celebrating Barcelona’s home treble bheroltona, drawn from the Ikurrina, the Basque flag, and raising the estalada, the Catalan flag associated with the independence movement.
“It is one thing for me to allow the majority of people … but that does not mean that if I like to be independent or support them in many issues, then the Basque people.”
‘I want Spain to win the World Cup’ – Inigo Martinez
Martinez went on to say that he will be supporting Spain in the World Cup next year in the USA, Mexico and Canada. He also confirmed that he might be there.
“Now, Spain
The Catalan independence debate has always been a divisive issue in Spain’s national team. The most famous example is Gerard Pie, who was hit by a car during his last season wearing a La Roja shirt. That was broken after Pique announced that he wanted the direction of independence in Catalonia, although he did not reveal which way he would vote.
