3 Barcelona players who are out of contract at the end of 2024-25
Barcelona’s 2024-25 season has been an intriguing one so far, with several key decisions set to be made regarding the futures of three players under coach Hansi Flick. With the club's rebuilding efforts under returning president Joan Laporta following Lionel Messi’s departure, it remains to be seen whether the current squad will extend their stays in Catalonia with new contract agreements.
One of the players at the center of these discussions is 33-year-old Inigo Martinez. His contract is due to expire in the summer, but a one-year extension can be triggered if he plays in at least 60% of Barcelona’s matches this season. Given his consistent involvement, particularly with the injuries to Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, Martinez’s extension looks highly likely, which would see him remain at Barcelona until 2026. As a seasoned defender, Martinez has been invaluable to the team, starting in nearly every La Liga match and all of Barcelona’s Champions League games so far. In a squad with an average age of just 23.7 years, the experienced Martinez provides vital leadership on and off the pitch.
Another player facing a pivotal decision is Wojciech Szczesny. After Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s serious knee injury, Barcelona turned to the free-agent market to find a short-term replacement. Szczesny, who had initially retired after leaving Juventus, was persuaded to return to football with a one-year deal. However, the 34-year-old is yet to make his debut, as Inaki Pena has been the preferred choice in goal. Given Barcelona’s recent struggles in defense, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last six league matches, Szczesny may soon get his chance to step in between the posts.
Finally, Gerard Martin, who spent last season developing with Barcelona Atletic, has impressed since making his senior debut under Flick. The 22-year-old left-back has made 14 appearances across all competitions, demonstrating his reliability as a backup to Alejandro Balde. Martin played a crucial role in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Brest in the Champions League, assisting Dani Olmo for the second goal. Reports indicate that Barcelona has already reached an agreement to extend Martin’s contract until 2028, solidifying his place in the squad for the foreseeable future.
With these key decisions looming, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona’s squad continues to evolve throughout the season.
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