Hansi Flick sees 33-year-old Barcelona veteran as a reference for the locker room

It has been almost two weeks since FC Barcelona began their pre-season training under new manager Hansi Flick.

The German tactician has had to make do with a slim first-team squad given the number of international stars having been away for the UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa America.

Indeed, Flick has had to work with the likes of Oriol Romeu, Inigo Martinez, Inaki Pena, Vitor Roque, Clement Lenglet, Ansu Fati, and Pablo Torre while Robert Lewandowski and Andreas Christensen joined on Monday.

Inigo Martinez a reference

Now, SPORT reports that in the short while that Flick has been at the club, he has been impressed by Inigo Martinez and sees him as a reference to the entire locker room.

At 33 years of age, the German has seen Martinez with a degree of maximum involvement and a hierarchy that has delighted him.

Inigo Martinez has impressed Flick. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The coach has even used him as an example in the dressing room so that the young players realise how to work. Inigo is the first to complete the exercises with overflowing enthusiasm and gives advice to his young teammates so that they continue to learn.

There is a feeling that with Inigo around he does not let anyone let the levels of intensity drop in the training sessions.

Registration a problem

Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Flick does not count on Martinez for the next season, but that does not appear to be the case.

However, the fact that he was registered for only one season upon signing last summer and is currently unregistered is a matter of concern.

But, Martinez has shown no intentions of wanting to leave and the long-term injury of Ronald Araujo could pave the way for the defender’s registration much like Barcelona did with Vitor Roque in January when Gavi was out.