Official: Barcelona star withdraws from international duty after knee discomfort | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will not be part of Spain’s squad for the upcoming international break and will miss the match against the Netherlands.

The veteran star was initially included in the squad list announced by Luis de la Fuente last Friday, but he will be unable to make his return due to fitness concerns.

The main reason for his absence is discomfort in his right knee, which he sustained during Barcelona’s recent clash against Atletico Madrid.

As a result, Dean Huijsen, a central defender currently playing for Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, has been chosen as his replacement in the national team.

According to Javi Miguel of AS, Martinez is now expected to be out of action for a period of two to three weeks.

Casado was injured too

It must be noted that Martinez was not the only Barcelona player to suffer physically during the intense encounter at the Metropolitano.

Marc Casado also endured significant fatigue and discomfort, particularly in his right knee.

Both players returned to Barcelona with the squad and are scheduled to undergo medical examinations.

These tests will help determine the extent of their injuries and whether further medical intervention is required. The club will closely monitor their condition, as their fitness could impact Barcelona’s squad depth for the upcoming fixtures.

Casado, who started against Atletico Madrid, played for 67 minutes before being substituted by Eric Garcia. Meanwhile, Martinez managed to complete the full 90 minutes despite his discomfort.

The match was physically demanding, and the toll it took on both players has now led to uncertainty regarding their immediate availability.

Additionally, Gavi, another Barcelona player who was not initially called up for Spain’s squad, could potentially be included if Casado is forced to withdraw due to injury.

The young midfielder remains an option for Luis de la Fuente, depending on Casado’s medical results.

Barcelona will now wait for the final assessment of both Martínez and Casado, hoping that neither injury proves to be serious enough to keep them sidelined for an extended period.