‘It took him by surprise’ – Ex-Barcelona star reveals Hansi Flick’s reaction to his exit | OneFootball

Former Barcelona star Iñigo Martínez has on Wednesday provided an insight into the reaction of manager Hansi Flick to his decision to join Al-Nassr.

The name of defender Iñigo of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya’s capital late last week.

As much came after word surfaced that, somewhat out of the blue, the 34-year-old was on the verge of bringing a close to the Barcelona chapter of his career.

In the face of a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia, Iñigo made the call to move on for one final pay day.

Barcelona, for their part, did not stand in the way of the stopper’s exit, opening the door for as much courtesy of a contract termination.

His decision, though, nevertheless came as something of a surprise, with Iñigo having played a leading role in Hansi Flick’s XI last season.

Speaking during an interview with Onda Vasca this week, the former Athletic Club man was in turn asked for an insight into the reasoning behind as much.

And in quotes relaid by Diario Sport, Iñigo went on to explain:

“Look, it came as a surprise to many. And aside from the fact that I got on well with the fans, I generated that excitement, and in the end, my leaving came as a surprise to them, but that’s how football works, and these days we’re used to changes happening overnight.

“On a financial level, you can’t compare that league with any of the others these days. Looking at my career and what I’d achieved, it was time to take the step. A player’s journey is short: I’m 34 years old, and these trains come once, if they come at all, and it’s hard to say no.”

The defender also opened up on the reaction of manager Hansi Flick to the news of his call to move on:

“I spoke to Flick when I got back from the tour because I didn’t want to either… we had enough with the way the tour was going. People were a bit agitated and didn’t want any more things. And when I got back to Barcelona, I was honest with him because I knew he would understand me perfectly, because I have one year left on my contract and I’m 34 years old… which, damn! These opportunities don’t come around very often and it’s hard to say no. It took him by surprise but he understood perfectly from the second minute… It was a pleasant conversation and it made me very sad because there was mutual appreciation. It was sad at the same time. It wasn’t that it was tense, but it was very emotional and you see that the time of being together is over and he wasn’t going to have me in the group. I knew how important I was to him.”

Conor Laird – GSFN