Overview

• Martínez said Al-Nassr’s offer outpaced all other options and prompted his exit from Barcelona on a free transfer.
• He first called Aymeric Laporte and later reached out to Yannick Carrasco for firsthand insights into club culture and life in Saudi Arabia.
• Martínez admitted his previous move from Athletic to Barcelona lacked a proper farewell and that he would have preferred a more cordial exit from his boyhood club.
• Despite leaving Bilbao, he praised Nico Williams’ decision to remain at Athletic and fondly recalled celebrating the club’s Copa victory parade.
• Some analysts view his arrival in Riyadh as potentially smoothing the path for Laporte’s return to Athletic’s Lezama academy, though no move has been confirmed.