Hansi Flick was shocked! Barca star opens up on decision to leave

Unlike other European giants, Barcelona had a quiet transfer window, bringing in just four players for a total of €27.50m.

However, the current La Liga champions sanctioned the departure of nine players — four were allowed to leave on loan, two departed on free transfers, while the club generated just €23.00m from the sale of two players.

Topping the list of those who left on a free transfer is Iñigo Martínez. The Spain international decided to leave Barcelona and join Saudi side Al-Nassr just a few days before the start of the La Liga season.

In an interview with Jijantes on Monday, Iñigo revealed that he informed Hansi Flick on a plane during Barça’s preseason tour of Asia, and that the coach was shocked by his decision.

Inigo Martinez of Al-Nassr (front) and Moussa Diaby of Al Ittihad (back) in action during the Saudi Super Cup semi final between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Iñigo also explained that he had received an “irresistible” offer from Al-Nassr and felt it was the right moment in his career to leave . “I had a conversation with Hansi at one of the plane’s emergency exits. We discussed the situation, and the manager was in shock. I told him I had an offer I considered irresistible.

It wasn’t easy; I had to make the decision very quickly. At the time, I thanked the club for making my departure easier — not all of them do that.

Last year was the best of my career, but I thought it would be very difficult for me to stay another year at the same level.”

Martínez has since begun a new adventure in the Saudi Pro League, where he now plays alongside former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.