BREAKING NEWS: In a surprising announcement, German coach Hansi Flick named the player he regards as his “greatest discovery” at Barcelona!

Barcelona is enjoying a standout season, currently leading La Liga with 30 points, six points ahead of rivals Real Madrid. Their dominant position in the league was solidified after a recent victory in El Clasico, where Hansi Flick’s Barcelona inflicted a heavy 4-0 defeat on Madrid, widening the points gap.

According to the Catalan newspaper “Sport,” Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has not only introduced fresh talent from the club’s academy, La Masia—like Casado and Bernal—but has also revived the careers of players previously on the fringes. One of his notable successes is with Spanish defender Inigo Martinez.

Formerly with Athletic Bilbao, Martinez was close to leaving Barcelona in the summer, having struggled to secure playing time under former manager Xavi Hernandez. However, a conversation with Flick led him to stay, and since then, Martinez has become a crucial figure in Barcelona’s defense.

Now 33, Martinez has adapted well to Flick’s defensive tactics and has formed a formidable partnership with young defender Pau Coparsi. Flick considers Martinez his greatest find this season, even stating, “Things would not have gone this way in Barcelona without him.” The impact of Martinez’s presence is clear: in the 11 league matches so far, Barcelona has conceded only 10 goals. Notably, four of these goals came in a single game against Osasuna, a match Martinez did not play in, highlighting his importance in maintaining defensive stability.

Martinez is not only a solid defender but also an exceptional passer, essential to Flick’s style, which emphasizes a high defensive line and an offside trap that puts constant pressure on opponents. His ball distribution has been remarkable, with an impressive 92.13% passing accuracy across 10 league matches.

With Flick’s guidance, Martinez has become the anchor of Barcelona’s defense, orchestrating the backline and playing a vital role in the team’s current success.

His transformation from a player on the fringes to a central figure in the lineup underscores the effective changes Flick has implemented since taking over. If Barcelona’s strong performance continues, Martinez’s revival under Flick could prove pivotal as the Catalan club aims for another league title.