Former Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez has revealed a surprising bond with Cristiano Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Martinez, now playing in Saudi Arabia, spoke of Ronaldo's humility and dedication to the game, shedding light on a side of the football icon often unseen.
Martinez recounted a touching late-night encounter shortly after his arrival at the club. He praised Ronaldo's approachability and described him as being completely obsessed with football, highlighting the Portuguese star’s relentless pursuit of excellence. This contrasts with some perceptions of Ronaldo as being aloof or solely focused on personal glory.
In a separate interview, Martinez also addressed concerns about his former team, Barcelona. Despite recent setbacks, he remains confident that Barcelona possesses strong leadership within the locker room and will be a contender for titles this season. "No, not at all. The defence is well covered, with ups and downs, as was the case at times last year," Martinez stated. "The locker room is united, and there are players who are there when the need arises."
Martinez emphasized that Barcelona is only two points behind Real Madrid in La Liga and believes they will bounce back strongly. "People say Barça isn’t doing well, but in reality we’re two points behind. I still count myself as part of the squad. This Barça will deliver and compete for everything," he added.
With Hansi Flick still searching for the ideal centre-back pairing after Martinez's departure, Barcelona fans will be hoping that the team can quickly find their rhythm and live up to Martinez's optimistic predictions. The upcoming match against Girona will be a crucial test of their resolve.
The insights from Inigo Martinez offer a fresh perspective on both Cristiano Ronaldo's character and Barcelona's current state, providing South African football fans with compelling narratives from the world of international football.