Athletic Club’s Unai Simón launches stern defence of Barcelona star: ‘It’s disrespectful’ | OneFootball

Athletic Club star Unai Simón has this week moved to jump to the defence of former teammate and fellow countryman Iñigo Martínez.

Defender Iñigo, for his part, is fresh off his first international call-up on the part of Spain since all the way back in 2023.

Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, however, he was forced to turn as much down, owing to an injury setback suffered against Atlético Madrid.

Barcelona themselves unveiled a statement on Monday, confirming the news:

Some sources in the Spanish media subsequently called into question the legitimacy of Iñigo’s problem, amid the insinuation that the 33-year-old was perhaps playing the injury up, to maintain optimum fitness for Barcelona.

Safe to say, however, that one individual who does not buy into such a theory comes in the form of Unai Simón.

Speaking during his own exchange with the media on Tuesday, Athletic Club shot-stopper Simón made as much crystal clear, explaining:

“I have read Iñigo’s story, after he was removed from the call-up. I think it’s wrong to doubt Iñigo, if the club has issued a medical report saying that he’s injured, I think it’s disrespectful not to believe it. I’m sure Iñigo really wanted to come. I think it’s a lack of respect for a teammate I’ve had at club level and in the national team and he doesn’t deserve it.”

Quotes via Diario Sport

Conor Laird – GSFN