The special clause in Barcelona veteran’s contract that locks in an automatic extension – report

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez is currently under contract until 2025, but there is an interesting clause that could extend his stay at the club.

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Martinez can automatically renew his contract for an additional year if he plays at least 60% of the matches this season, with each appearance lasting a minimum of 45 minutes.

Since the beginning of this season, Martinez has stepped up as a key figure in Barcelona’s defence. This is a significant turnaround from last year when Martinez had to wait for four games to make his debut due to registration issues.

The current season has seen him become a mainstay in the defence, especially given the injuries to Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen and the presence of several young players in the squad.

Manager Hansi Flick has clearly identified Martinez as a central figure in his plans.

Details of the clause

Martinez is currently in his second season with Barcelona. He signed a two-year contract with the option for a third year in July 2023.

This option for a third season is contingent on him meeting the requirement of playing 60% of the team’s matches, each for a minimum of 45 minutes.

This clause is part of a new contractual rule at Barcelona, where the percentage is based on the total number of matches played by the team, rather than the matches available to the coach, which was the case two seasons ago.

Should Martinez fall short of this requirement, but continue his current form, Barcelona might still offer him a contract renewal.

Strong start for Martinez

He has made a strong start to the season, taking full advantage of the absences of key players like Araujo and Christensen. He has firmly established himself as a starting defender alongside Pau Cubarsi, who is 16 years his junior.

Martinez has played in all four La Liga games so far this season, completing every minute on the pitch.

This performance has dispelled any doubts about his registration status from last year. Flick has emphasised the importance of keeping Martinez active, praising his maturity, excellent positioning, reliable ball handling, and valuable assists.

The German coach considers Martinez a prime example for the team, even in training sessions.