Since the start of this season, the Basque defender Inigo Martinez has seen his importance in this FC Barcelona squad grow exponentially.
The former Athletic Club defender had a rather secondary role in the team during his first season at the Blaugrana club, but this season, he has been one of the most conspicuous players in Hansi Flick’s backline.
He has proven to be an undroppable player for Flick, and his consistency this season has allowed his personal characteristics to shine through.
Two of the most notable of these characteristics are his leadership and propensity to help the younger members of the squad, and as SPORT has reported, both these attributes were on display as Gavi made his return to the pitch after almost eleven months.
The report reveals that Inigo Martinez, who was also in the Spain squad when Gavi was injured, accompanied the Barcelona midfielder as he was shifted to the hospital from the stadium in an ambulance, and then again accompanied him as he traveled back to Barcelona by air from Valladolid.
This support for the young midfielder in such a difficult time would certainly have meant a lot for him. But this association did not end there. Inigo Martinez kept a close eye on the recovery of Gavi, and showed a lot of emotion as he made his return to the pitch in the match against Sevilla.
As soon as Gavi made his way to the pitch, Martinez celebrated with his arms raised in the air, as if he or one of his teammates had scored a goal. His gestures on that occasion have gone viral on social media.
These attributes of the veteran center-back have made him an integral part of the dressing room in just one year since his arrival. Hopefully, he will continue to play a key role in the team moving forward and experience many more joyous moments with Barcelona.
Iñigo Martinez was celebrating like all of us when Gavi came on 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ko7l83Qjrw
— Pain.𝕏 (@GBarca_) October 21, 2024