Calm in Riyadh: Inigo Martinez’s Quiet Stance Amid Ronaldo’s Saga
3 February 2026
What’s really going on in Riyadh?
Contrary to the turbulent mood surrounding Al Nassr in recent weeks, one player in the squad has shown a sense of stability and contentment, far from controversy and pressure.
As questions escalate about the futures of several stars led by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, a defensive pillar sent a clear, calm message that he is happy here and will stay.
According to AS, Spanish defender Inigo Martinez has become a strikingly different model from Ronaldo inside Al Nassr.
After the team's match against Riyadh, the former Barcelona man shared a photo on his official channels, celebrating the victory with friends who came to the Saudi capital to support him, in an atmosphere that reflected his full comfort within the club.
Al Nassr sealed the win with a single goal by Sadio Mane in the 40th minute, with an assist from Joao Felix, in front of more than 44,000 spectators at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
But the shot that grabbed attention wasn't inside the stadium; it was outside, where Martinez appeared completely detached from the whole Ronaldo case.
AS indicated that Martinez had serious offers to leave during the winter window, including a bid from a big club in the Premier League, but he rejected them all.
The player feels settled in Riyadh and convinced by Al Nassr's project, to the point that he activated the clause to extend for another season, as his original contract says.
At 34, Martinez has become an indispensable part of coach Jorge Jesus's lineup, having appeared in 27 matches this season for a total of 2,296 minutes, proving that Al Nassr is not a temporary stop but a stable destination.
Punchlines: if Martinez keeps this calm, Ronaldo might hire him as a life coach. In Riyadh, even the bench looks like a spa retreat — calm, collected, and under contract.
