Report: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha lose Barcelona teammate to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr

FC Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha lose a teammate, as reports indicate he is set to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

FC Barcelona are coming off a strong season under new manager Hansi Flick, who quickly built a powerful and competitive squad that reshaped expectations among their fans. Led by standout performers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, the Catalan giants looked reinvigorated. However, they are now set to lose a key piece of their defensive core, as Iñigo Martínez reportedly prepares to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

Martínez’s departure from Barcelona is reportedly complete, pending official confirmation. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Al Nassr have reached an agreement to sign the Spanish defender. Martínez will terminate his contract with Barcelona immediately and join the Saudi club as a free agent. The deal runs through June 2026, with an option to extend it until June 2027.

Reports suggest that Martínez personally requested an exit after receiving a significant offer from Al Nassr. Barcelona, respecting his decision, granted his release under the same conditions by which he arrived—on a free transfer. The club is expected to free up roughly €14 million in wages, a crucial move as they work to register new players for the upcoming La Liga campaign.

The transfer was finalized in record time. Although Al Nassr made their first approach in early July, Martínez initially turned them down. At the time, he was on the verge of signing a contract extension with Barcelona through 2027. The club preferred to keep him, but changing circumstances ultimately altered their position.

Why did Barcelona decide to let him go?

The decision comes down to squad depth and salary structure. No center backs have departed this summer, creating an overcrowded backline. Ronald Araujo stayed despite a reduced release clause early in July, and Andreas Christensen—despite limited playing time last season—also declined to move. With five central defenders on the roster, plus Jules Koundé as an option, Barcelona gave the green light once Martínez accepted a second offer from Saudi Arabia.

While Barcelona lose a player who featured heavily last season, the position remains well-covered. With less than 10 days before the league kicks off, the move could prove pivotal in helping the club register at least Joan García. The front office is now evaluating if the financial flexibility allows for additional player registrations in the coming days.

What’s next for Al Nassr?

Al Nassr are gearing up for a stronger campaign as they look to support their top star, Cristiano Ronaldo, in his pursuit of more silverware in Saudi Arabia. The club has already made notable moves, including the reported signing of Portuguese forward Joao Felix. Now, they bolster their back line with a proven veteran in Iñigo Martínez, aiming to strengthen a squad with high ambitions on both domestic and international stages.

From: bolavip.com