Barcelona veteran believes his international career is over; exclusively focusing on club duties | OneFootball

As the 2024/25 season nears its close, the international window looms with Spain set to face France in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals in June.

While Barcelona stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, and Dani Olmo are expected to feature prominently in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, veteran defender Inigo Martinez will reportedly be absent.

Martinez believes his international career is over

Now, a recent report from MARCA suggests Martinez has seemingly closed the chapter on his international career, prioritizing his club commitments with Barcelona.

Martinez, a European Under-21 champion in 2013 and a senior international since his debut under Vicente del Bosque, has earned 21 caps for Spain but hasn’t featured since the November, 2023.

Inigo Martinez is no longer interested playing for the national team (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Despite his form, de la Fuente excluded him from the upcoming Nations League Final Four, stating, “The four best center backs in LaLiga are there.”

For Martinez, the national team is now a thing of the past. With his contract renewal signed in March, the Biscayan defender views international duty as a risk to what may be his final major contract.

The veteran defender, therefore, is not exclusively focusing on his club career at Barcelona.

The former Athletic Club star has already extended his contract at Camp Nou until 2026 and will hope to continue playing a pivotal role in Hansi Flick’s defensive setup.

His experience and leadership, after all, have added some vital balance to an otherwise inexperienced Barcelona defence.

One could, therefore, continue to expect Martinez to play a key role for Barcelona next season as the club look to maintain its stellar momentum under the leadership of Hansi Flick.