Iigo Martnez Berridi is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team. After making his debut at the age of 20, he spent most of his professional career with Real Sociedad, appearing in 238 appearances across all competitions.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Inigo Martinez |
|---|---|
| Occupation | association football player |
| Nationality | Spain |
| Date of Birth | 1991/05/17 |
| Birth Year | 1991/05/17 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| height (Foot) | 5.94 Foot |
| weight Kilo | 77 kg |
| Zodiac sign: | Taurus |
| Gender | Male |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Nere Grana |
| Children | Yes |
| Net Worth | $42 million |
Iñigo Martínez Biography
Iigo Martnez Berridi (born 17 May 1991) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central defender for Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. After making his debut at the age of 20, he spent most of his professional career with Real Sociedad, appearing in 238 appearances (17 goals scored) in all competitions. Martnez, who was born in Ondarroa, Biscay, joined Real Sociedad’s junior divisions after playing for local CD Aurrerá Ondarroa. He made his senior debut in the 2009-10 season, contributing 23 games and one goal to the B-promotion team from the fourth tier after one year out. Martnez made his first-team – and La Liga – debut for the Basques on August 27, 2011, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-1 away victory over Sporting de Gijón. He scored his first league goal on October 2nd, striking from within his own half in a 1-2 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao in a derby.
Iñigo Martínez Height, Weight, Body measurement
Despite his diminutive size of 1.82 m 5 feet 9 inches and weight of 77kg, he is a powerful fighter. Martnez has been likened to fellow countryman Carles Puyol and is known for his heading abilities, which make him a dangerous aerial threat on set pieces. He’s also known for his tackling, leadership, and understanding of the game, as well as his ball-handling abilities.
Career
- Martnez, who was born in Ondarroa, Biscay, joined Real Sociedad’s youth levels after playing for his hometown club, CD Aurrerá Ondarroa. He made his senior debut in the 2009-10 season, appearing in 23 games and scoring one goal to help the reserves advance from the fourth level after a year away.
- Martnez made his first-team – and La Liga – debut for the Basques on August 27, 2011, when he played the complete 90-minute match against Sporting de Gijón. On October 2nd, he scored his first league goal from within his own half in a 2-1 home derby defeat to Athletic Bilbao.
- Martnez scored his third league goal in the same fashion on November 27, 2011, in a 3-2 away win against Real Betis (in the 90th minute). He remained first-choice in the following Premier League seasons, most notably helping the club’s return to the UEFA Champions League after a ten-year absence in 2012-13 when he scored four goals in 34 appearances. On April 26, 2016, Martnez signed a new five-year deal.
- Martnez agreed to terms with Athletic Bilbao on 30 January 2018 for €32 million (his contractual buyout clause value and a record expenditure for the purchasing club) until 2023; the cost was around half of what Manchester City paid for Aymeric Laporte on the same day. On February 4th, he made his debut, featuring in Girona FC’s 2-0 domestic league loss.
- Martnez received two penalties for foul tackles in two domestic league matches in October 2018, both of which resulted in the opening goal and were granted following VAR reviews — the first in a 3-1 home loss to his previous side Real Sociedad and the second in a 1-1 away draw against SD Eibar.
- On June 20, 2020, Martnez scored his first goal for Athletic with a backheel flick in a home league encounter against Betis (in his 85th competitive game). He subsequently conceded a penalty, but the kick was missed, and he went on to score the game’s lone goal.
- Martnez was in the spotlight in the postponed 2020 Copa del Rey Final, coming close to scoring with a long-range shot in the first half, appearing to have conceded a penalty for handball on the edge of the penalty area at the start of the second half – a VAR review ruled this to be outside the box – then ten minutes later, he did concede a penalty for a foul on Portu.
- The referee sent him off, but a VAR review decided that he had not intentionally denied himself a scoring chance, and the red card was reduced to a yellow. Real won the championship with a 1-0 victory after the penalty. Afterward, he was praised in the media for his sportsmanship, as he was seen taking time to thank his many former colleagues.
- Martnez earned his debut for Spain’s under-21 squad in 2011. Manager Luis Milla picked him for his squad, which participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London the following year. He was sent off late in the first half of the opening game against Japan for tripping Kensuke Nagai, denying a clear goalscoring chance and leading to a 1-0 defeat.
- Martnez earned his full-team debut on August 14, 2013, when he replaced Sergio Ramos in the second half of a 2-0 friendly win against Ecuador. Between September 2018 and March 2021, he received eleven caps, including seven starts; however, he was left out of Luis Enrique’s 24-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament (which was postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe) when it was announced on May 24, with the player stating that he was not completely satisfied with his physical situation after missing a number of club matches during the season and that an agreement
Iñigo Martínez’s Net Worth
Bilbao, Iigo Martnez earns £7,644,000 per year and £147,000 per week. Iigo Martnez is worth £42,692,000 pounds as of February 2024. Iigo Martnez is 30 years old and was born in Spain. His current contract expires on June 30, 2023.
Iñigo Martínez Wife, Marriage, Children
Martinez is married to his long-term gorgeous love, Nere Grana, in addition to his hectic life as a professional soccer player in the elite levels. During their vacations and holidays, the lovely pair were often seen.
The couple married in front of their family and friends, and they have two lovely kids to this day. Martinez often spends his vacations with his family following a hectic life as a La Liga soccer player. For the time being, his children’s identities are unknown.
Awards & Achievement
- Espana Supercopa: 2020-21
- Runner-up in the Copa del Rey: 2019-20, 2020-21
- 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
- 2020-21 UEFA Nations League runner-up
- 2013 UEFA U-21 Championship Team of the Tournament
Interesting Facts
- In 2013, he guided the Spanish U-21 team to the UEFA Euro U-21 Championship. That same year, he made his senior national team debut.
- He was a Real Sociedad youth player. In 2009, he made his professional debut for the club’s B team.
- Martnez earned his full-team debut on 14 August 2013, when he came in as a second-half replacement for Sergio Ramos in a 2-0 friendly victory over Ecuador.
