MADRID, 13 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The new FC Barcelona player Iñigo Martínez assured this Thursday that the current squad of the Barça team “already showed last year that it is better than Real Madrid”, at the same time that he confessed that “it does not matter” the economic situation that Barça is going through that “at the slightest” that he is interested “you quickly pack your suitcase”, so he made it clear that I am not worried “at all” not yet being registered.
“When Barça calls you, the other teams remain in the background. From the first call I had, I did not hesitate. The words that Xavi (Hernández) had towards me were magnificent, I really noticed that he wanted me in his team. Dar That step is difficult, but when Barça calls you, you have to take it yes or yes,” said the defender during the presentation press conference as a new Barça player.
Martínez argued his decision to continue his career at FC Barcelona referring to the “sports project” of the blaugrana entity and his “desire to turn around” the economic situation. “It doesn’t matter what situation Barça is in, the slightest thing they call you makes your eyes ‘chiribitas’. It’s the best team in the world, you pack your suitcase quickly. You don’t doubt when you receive a call from Barça” , he reiterated.
“I’ve had a talk with Xavi. He’s given me all his confidence, to be calm. I’m at a great club, he told me he’s willing to help me. He’s shown that he’s always loved me here and I’m grateful for that”, he commented on his first contacts with the Catalan coach.
Therefore, he did not show any fear for the financial situation of the club. “I’m not worried about anything (whether they can register or not), I continue to do my thing, which is to do my job in the best possible way, give one hundred percent for the club. But, absolute peace of mind in that sense”, he asserted.
And although he has not yet put on the Barça shirt, even without a number, Iñigo Martínez has already made his position with Real Madrid clear. “It’s not necessary to tell you that yes, Barça has a better team. They already showed last year that they were better. There’s a great team, we’ll be the same or better this year. I know where I’m coming from and what I have to do, but I’m here to win and to fight for the position, always thinking about the team,” he said.
Asked about the Champions League, the player admitted that he is “very excited” to play the highest continental competition. “I already played it at Real Sociedad, but it was complicated,” he lamented. “I really want to live those games, there is nothing better than that for a player. I am optimistic, we must be, I notice that desire to want to go further and want to win more titles. I have no doubt that this year we will do it very well and it will be beautiful”, warned.
“There is a very good defensive line, I come to add, to give everything I have for the team, then the coach will decide who plays. I have no doubt that he will have many opportunities, to take advantage of them. Age has nothing to do with it, there are many older players who continue to perform at the highest level”, he said about what he can contribute to the Barça defense.
Thus, he highlighted his “competitive character”. “I come here to work like the hardest and try to win as many titles as possible, this great club deserves it. When I compete I change a lot, whether it comes new or not, it doesn’t mean you have to show it in the dressing room. I’ve been here for many years and I know how it works, there are a lot of young people who need to learn, I come to help, to teach, to learn and to do what I have to do to play”, he affirmed.
However, the footballer has to continue recovering from his fascial injury, a problem from which he is “much better”. “They told me that there was no rush, the important thing is to recover. I hope in a short time to start doing things with the team, the sensations are good. I’m already doing something alone on the field. I’ve been dragging this annoyance for a year now, it’s been complicated. There was a small intervention in that area, because it had been dragging the problem for a long time, “he revealed.
LAPORTA: “THE CHARACTER OF IÑIGO MARTÍNEZ WILL BE VERY USEFUL TO BARÇA”
Before the questions from the media, the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, acknowledged that the Basque central defender was “a player highly desired by the coaching staff and by the Board”. “Our defense will be greatly strengthened with your incorporation, we are looking for an organizer, a motivator. The coach was asking for a player of this profile. Your character will be very useful to Barça”, he praised.
“He comes from a great club that we respect a lot. It is an operation that will be understood, we are convinced that we have worked well for this incorporation,” added the Barça president.
Finally, the club’s sports director, Mateo Alemany, highlighted the “total predisposition” of the central defender, with the characteristics “to help the team in this important area.” “We have the advantage that he will adapt immediately. We have also appreciated his unquestionable leadership capacity,” he concluded.