ينهي لاعب برشلونة العقد للانضمام إلى كريستيانو رونالدو في الناصر

Barcelona player terminates contract to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr

football

Express newspaper

09/08/2025 14:39

The move has not been well received by some sections of Barcelona fans.

A Barcelona player will terminate his contract with the club to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

Al Nassr have been very active in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Joao Felix from Chelsea and allowing Jhon Duran, acquired in January, to go on loan to Fenerbahce.

Most importantly, the club has extended Ronaldo's contract for another two years, meaning he will theoretically play for Al Nassr until the age of 42.

New coach Jorge Jesus — who replaced Stefano Pioli last month — is now focusing on strengthening the defense.

Fabrizio Romano reports that an agreement has been reached to sign defender Inigo Martinez, who made 28 La Liga appearances for Barcelona last season, subject to a medical.

The Spaniard has been a regular starter under Hansi Flick, but is now set to leave the club.

ESPN reports that, although Martinez has a contract at Camp Nou until 2026, he is ready to terminate it, while Barcelona are willing to let him leave as a free agent due to financial problems related to the registration of players in La Liga.

The 34-year-old has spent his entire career in Spain, but is now ready to follow a path that several other La Liga stars have taken before — with mixed success.

Midfielder Gabri Veiga made a surprise decision to leave Celta Vigo to join Al Ahli in the summer of 2023, but has now returned to European football with Porto.

Karim Benzema, meanwhile, left Real Madrid to join Al Ittihad, while former Real captain Nacho Fernandez currently plays for Al Qadsiah.

Martinez's departure, however, has not been well received in Spain, where journalist Luco Cortes has harshly criticized Barcelona's decision to allow him to leave, calling it "unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable."

Speaking on Marca's "Good Night and Good Goals" show, Cortes said:

"They should have sacrificed Inigo Martinez so they could have signed two more players... he [president Joan Laporta] should come forward and explain everything that is happening, with the safe open. If he [Flick] is really upset that his starting centre-back is leaving, he should say so." /GazeteaExpress/