Spanish defender Iñigo Martínez has shared the story behind his summer exit from Barcelona, revealing how hard it was to say goodbye to coach Hansi Flick before joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking in an interview with COPE, the former Athletic Bilbao player described his final days at the Catalan club as “difficult and emotional,” admitting that he found it hard to tell Flick about his departure.

“Hansi Flick indeed had a lot of affection for me, but he also knew exactly what I brought to the team, not just on the field, but also off it,” Martínez said. “He saw me as a key piece, a pivotal element in his plans, so when a part of that puzzle fell apart at the last moment, suddenly and unexpectedly, it was natural for him to feel some doubt or confusion in that situation.”

The defender confessed that he hesitated several times before finally breaking the news. He said, “Honestly, I didn’t dare tell him right away. There were moments when I told myself: ‘Tomorrow, I’ll tell him tomorrow.’ Then tomorrow came, and I’d say: ‘Later, not now.’”

Martínez eventually spoke to Flick during a flight after their final match. “It was a long journey… I finally decided to talk to him on the plane. And indeed, the news caught him completely off guard, a surprise, of course, for him.”

Now at Al Nassr, Martínez says he remains grateful for his time at Barcelona and is focused on making a strong impact in Saudi Arabia while staying available for the Spanish national team.