Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate addresses rumors linking him with move to European giants with tongue-in-cheek response

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate Inigo Martinez has joked that Barcelona do not have the money to afford him. He admitted that the Catalan side cannot resign him, though he misses the club and had his best season under Hansi Flick.

Speaking to the media, Martinez said it was impossible for Barcelona to lure him away from Al-Nassr as they would not be able to afford the wages he is being paid in the Saudi Pro League. He is happy at the Middle Eastern club and said (via World Soccer Talk):

“It’s impossible for Laporta to spend that much money. Honestly, I’m very happy here. Of course, I miss Barcelona; it was my best professional year."

Martinez admitted in the summer that he joined Al-Nassr for the money, adding that the offer was too good to turn down. He had told Onda Vasca (via OJogo):

"It was a shock for many. Nowadays, in football, everything changes from one day to the next. On an economic level, this league cannot be compared with any of the others. Looking at my career and what I have achieved, it was the right time to take this step, these trains pass once and it is difficult to say no. No one is prepared to see this type of contract, when they ask us, we don't even believe it."

Martinez had a clause in his Barcelona contract that helped him move to the Saudi Pro League for free. His move to Cristiano Ronaldo's side helped the Catalan club register Marcus Rashford with La Liga, as it freed up space in the wage bill.

Barcelona star surprised Hansi Flick with decision to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

Inigo Martinez admitted that he caught Hansi Flick by surprise when he informed the manager about his decision to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. He told the German on their way back from the pre-season tour of Asia, and said (via Barca Universal):

“I spoke to Flick on the way back from the tour because I didn’t want to either. We had had enough with the way the tour was going. It caught him by surprise, but he understood it perfectly from minute two. It was a pleasant talk, and I was very sorry because there was a mutual appreciation. It was sad at the same time."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr started the Saudi Pro League season with 10 wins in a row. However, they have picked up just one point from their last three matches and have slipped four points behind leaders Al-Hilal.