Iñigo Martínez


Iñigo Martínez Berridi is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team mainly as a central defender.
He spent most of his professional career with Real Sociedad, playing 238 matches across all competitions after making his debut at the age of 20.

Club career

Real Sociedad

Born in Ondarroa, Biscay, Martínez joined Real Sociedad's youth ranks from local CD Aurrerá Ondarroa. He made his senior debut in the 2009–10 season, helping the reserves promote from the fourth division after one year out by contributing with 23 games and one goal.
On 27 August 2011, Martínez made his first-team – and La Liga – debut with the Basques, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 away win against Sporting de Gijón. On 2 October he scored his first league goal, netting from inside his own half in an eventual 1–2 home loss to Athletic Bilbao, in a derby.
, 2015
Martínez scored his third league goal in the same fashion, in a 3–2 win at Real Betis on 27 November. He continued to be an automatic first-choice in the following top flight campaigns, notably helping the club return to the UEFA Champions League after ten years in 2012–13 by netting four times in 34 matches.
On 26 April 2016, Martínez signed a new five-year deal with Real Sociedad.

Athletic Bilbao

On 30 January 2018, Martínez signed with Athletic Bilbao for €32 million on a deal until 2023. The fee was around half of the figure received the same day for the player he replaced in the Athletic squad, Aymeric Laporte, who had moved to Manchester City. He made his debut on 4 February, playing the entirety of a 0–2 domestic league defeat away to Girona FC.
During October 2018, Martínez conceded two penalties for foul challenges in two local derby matches in the domestic league, both of which led to the opening goal and were awarded after Video assistant referee reviews – the first in a 3–1 home defeat to his old club Real Sociedad and the second in a 1–1 away draw against SD Eibar.
Martínez scored his first goal for Athletic with a backheel flick in a home league fixture against Betis on 20 June 2020. He later also gave away a penalty, but the kick was missed and his proved to be the only goal of the match.

International career

Martínez made his debut for the Spain under-21 team in 2011. In the following year, he was picked by manager Luis Milla for his squad that appeared in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London; in the first game against Japan he was sent off late into the first half for bringing down Kensuke Nagai thus denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, in an eventual 0–1 loss.
Martínez made his debut with the full side on 14 August 2013, coming on as a second-half substitute for Sergio Ramos in a 2–0 friendly win over Ecuador.

Style of play

Martínez was likened to compatriot Carles Puyol, and was known for his heading ability which made him an aerial threat on set pieces, despite his modest stature of. He was also known for his tackling, leadership qualities and ability to read the game, as well as competence with the ball at his feet.

Career statistics

Club

;Notes

International

Honours

Spain U21
Individual