The image of Iñigo Martínez in Leganés, fists clenched and shouting after dispossessing Munir as if he had scored a goal, was a vivid reflection of the fighting spirit of a Barça team striving for a treble this season.

This player could have made things very difficult for Barcelona, but that didn’t happen, and the team celebrated three vital points thanks to this Basque defender—a player who responded to Hans-Dieter Flick’s praise the day before in this manner. Despite a 4-0 lead from the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, the German coach will need the calm and composure of a committed leader in defense tomorrow in Dortmund, and he is a prime example of that.

Iñigo Martínez has managed to captivate Hans-Dieter Flick. He knows how to position himself correctly, always adjusting himself in front of the goal in the defensive line and maintaining constant communication with other defenders. Against Leganés, he showed a quality that he rarely displays.

This right-footed player—despite being left-footed—made a crucial tackle to stop a near-certain goal. Immediately after the match, all the coaching staff rushed to congratulate him. Flick was the first. His experience and leadership, combined with his strong personality, inspire courage, motivation, and hunger.

The German coach privately congratulated himself for the decision he made, asking the club to prioritize his contract registration. From the very beginning, the moment they first shook hands at the training complex, he had no doubts about it. He wanted to see him in training and matches to decide whether he should leave the club if financial problems arose. It didn’t take long for him to be convinced.

Even more than watching training sessions and seeing how he executed his instructions, this was enough for Flick. If Iñigo had the slightest doubt, he would have decided to leave himself. Today, he is completely in sync with Flick. He is the coach’s main supporter in the young Barça dressing room. There is a good connection between them, and it is very noticeable. Flick said before the trip to Leganés: “He is at an extraordinary level. He is a complete leader and gives everything for the club.”

Inevitably, we must look back. Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff, the then-sporting director and football director, had full confidence in him. It was a tough period. He not only met the expectations of a Barça center-back but his contract was also expiring. He had other offers, but Barcelona’s call made him ignore all of them. Atlético didn’t even make him an offer. Negotiations proceeded in complete silence. Once, he traveled to Barcelona, and rumors spread, but in reality, he had come to buy a boat.

Iñigo Martínez left the negotiation process to his agent. The same situation repeated with his contract extension, which was pursued and finalized by Deco, the current sporting director. He doesn’t think about anything off the field. He didn’t waste a single minute over Osasuna’s complaint about his illegal inclusion in the lineup. He is a calm person who knows what to do at every moment. He takes great care of himself and is even strict with his diet.

He has a good relationship with the young players. He advises them and chats with them, like he does with Cubarsí. After the 4-4 draw in the Copa del Rey against Atlético, his words in the dressing room had a big impact. He spoke bluntly. When he gives his all on the field, he expects the same from others.

He said: “In a match that could have been 6-2, we were superior throughout the game but lost possession and gifted easy goals to the opponent.” He is also grateful—just as he is always thankful to Dr. Ricard Pruna for the effective treatment he provided in the summer of 2023 when he suffered from plantar fasciitis.

He is happy at Barcelona. He loves the sea views of this city. It’s a great passion for him. He hasn’t brought his boat, which is docked in Ondarroa, to Barcelona yet. His family has also adapted very well to the conditions. His daughters have slowly started speaking Catalan. He highly respects people on the streets, except for a few minor incidents he prefers not to talk about.