16 Fermín López

Born on May 11, 2003, in El Campillo, Huelva, Andalusia, Fermín López began his footballing journey at local club CD FB El Campillo. His talent quickly saw him move to Recreativo de Huelva before joining Real Betis in 2012. In 2016, he took a major step forward by joining Barcelona’s prestigious youth academy, La Masia.

Loan to Linares (2022–23 Season)

On August 19, 2022, López signed a professional contract with Barcelona Atlètic, securing his future until 2024. He was immediately loaned to Linares Deportivo in the Primera Federación for the 2022–23 season. He made his senior debut on August 28 in a 2–0 win over Mérida AD. His first senior goal came on October 30, securing a 2–1 victory against Rayo Majadahonda.

López established himself as a key player, finishing the season with 12 goals in 40 appearances.

After impressing in preseason training, López was included in Barcelona’s senior squad for the 2023–24 season. On July 29, he made headlines with a goal and an assist in a 3–0 victory over Real Madrid. Manager Xavi confirmed that López would stay with the senior team.

He made his La Liga debut on August 27 in a 4–3 win over Villarreal. Two days later, he signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2027, with a release clause of €400 million. On September 19, he made his Champions League debut in a 5–0 win over Royal Antwerp.

López scored his first La Liga goal on September 26, equalizing in a 2–2 draw against Mallorca. He continued his impressive form by scoring in his first Champions League start, a 2–1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on October 25, earning Player of the Match honors.

On October 31, 2024, López extended his contract with Barcelona until 2029. He continued his strong performances in the Champions League, scoring in a 5–2 victory over Crvena Zvezda on November 6. On December 15, he suffered a broken front tooth after an accidental elbow to the face during a match against CD Leganés.

López received his first Spain U21 call-up on October 6, 2023, making his debut on October 13 in a 0–0 draw against Uzbekistan U23. He scored his first goal for the U21s on October 17 in a 4–0 win over Kazakhstan in the UEFA U21 Euro qualifiers.

His rapid rise earned him a call-up to Spain’s preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He debuted on June 5, 2024, in a 5–0 friendly win against Andorra, assisting Ferran Torres’ goal. López was named in Spain’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024, where the team emerged victorious, though he remained a largely unused substitute.

In July 2024, López was selected for Spain’s U23 squad for the Summer Olympics. Spain won the gold medal, making López one of only three players in history to win both the European Championship and Olympic gold in the same year.

López is a right-footed central midfielder with versatility to play in an attacking role. He is known for his technical skill, intelligent movement, and ability to exploit space. His powerful long-range shots, close ball control, and relentless work rate make him a key asset for both club and country.