Fermín López has returned to Spain duty carrying the perspective of a difficult three-month absence and the confidence of a Barcelona midfielder who feels increasingly central to club and country. The 2003-born El Campillo player missed the World Cup through injury just as he believed he had earned his place, but is now back in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for a Nations League meeting with England at Wembley and a subsequent fixture in Seville.
For López, the international recall has restored a dream that briefly seemed out of reach. He said he was especially grateful to De la Fuente for bringing him back into the group, describing another call-up as both an honour and a reminder of what representing Spain means to him.
A World Cup watched from home
The injury came at a painful point in López’s career. He had never previously suffered a serious setback and initially found it hard to process being left at home while Spain went to the World Cup.
“At the start everything looks dark,” López said, explaining that his immediate aim had been to regain the level he had before the lay-off. He believes his return has gone well despite spending three months out, but admitted the early stages of the tournament were particularly hard to watch.
He was sitting at home with his foot bandaged while his teammates played on football’s biggest stage. In time, he was able to turn the page and watched almost the entire competition, while remaining in contact with members of the squad from afar.
Barcelona teammates were particularly attentive, and López said their messages made him feel he still mattered to the group. Lamine Yamal was among those he spoke to regularly. López revealed that Yamal had arranged for a shirt tribute in the event that he scored in one match, though the goal never arrived. The intention, López said, was a moving gesture regardless.
He attended the final to support Spain, experiencing the occasion from the stands rather than the pitch. Although missing the tournament hurt because he felt he deserved to be there, he said he remained pleased for his teammates and for his country.
The period away has changed his daily outlook. López now thinks back to the time when he would have given anything simply to train or play again, and says even ordinary things such as walking took on new value. His focus is now on enjoying each session and every appearance.
Wembley first, then a home-region reunion
Spain’s next stop is Wembley, where England will provide a major Nations League test. López sees the London stadium as a special venue, particularly for Barcelona supporters, and expects a demanding match against a strong England side. Spain, he said, will travel believing they can win.
The following match in Seville will bring the national team much closer to El Campillo. López expects numerous relatives to attend and hopes to find tickets for them. His wish is simple: to play, score and let his family see him happy on the pitch.
His grandmother is likely to be among them. She has become well known after an emotional post-match embrace with her grandson, and López stressed her importance in his life. Travel to Barcelona is more difficult for her, so fixtures near their home area carry extra weight. He also hopes to return to El Campillo soon to see her again.
Barcelona growth and a growing connection with Yamal
López believes there remains considerable room for progress in his own game and has no desire to put a ceiling on his development. Under Hansi Flick, he says the demands remain broadly the same as over the previous two years, with his attention particularly on making sharper decisions in the final third.
Yamal recently named López as the player who understands him best, a compliment the midfielder received warmly. López described the winger as a close friend and an important player for Barcelona, saying he tries to supply him with passes and use the spaces created when opponents crowd around him.
That partnership has also shaped López’s view of the Ballon d’Or race. He believes Yamal deserves the award after an exceptional Barcelona campaign, even if the youngster did not reach his usual level at the World Cup after arriving with an injury concern. López also pointed to other Spanish contenders, including Pedri, Raphinha and Pau, while selecting Yamal if required to name one favourite.
England’s Harry Kane is another leading candidate, but López does not expect one Wembley match to settle the vote. He called Kane an outstanding forward who could finish in the top three, while hoping Spain can help Yamal’s case on the field.
At Barcelona, competition has increased following a productive recruitment effort led by Deco. López feels the squad lacked depth last season and says the new arrivals have provided valuable support. He sees the Champions League as a legitimate ambition, but agrees that the team must avoid looking too far ahead. Good spells will be followed by difficult ones, he said, and Barcelona must continue improving step by step if they are to go deep in Europe and challenge for the trophy.
His battle for minutes with Dani Olmo is one of those internal contests. López said both players understand the reality of Barcelona, where Flick must select an eleven every weekend. He described Olmo as one of his closest teammates and framed their rivalry as healthy, with both seeking to perform whenever chosen.
Gordon impresses and Raphinha adapts
Among the newer faces around the Spain setup, López singled out Gordon as a player who has surprised him. López had encountered Newcastle in the Champions League but had not closely followed Gordon before, and believes the forward can offer Spain plenty.
He also praised Raphinha’s transformation into a central attacking role at Barcelona. The Brazilian had not regularly played as a number nine before, López said, yet has adapted remarkably after the departures of two forwards. Raphinha’s scoring has been prominent, but López stressed that goals must remain a collective responsibility.
The packed calendar remains a concern. López said the three-week international interruption breaks Barcelona’s rhythm after a strong run, particularly when players have long-distance travel. He highlighted Raphinha’s workload while the Brazilian is in outstanding form, and echoed concerns that the schedule places its greatest burden on players, even though footballers always want to play as often as possible.
As for personal targets, López is avoiding a goals figure. People close to him may suggest numbers, but he does not want the pressure. His priority is to play well and help the team, trusting that goals will follow if they are meant to.
