It has been a dream start to the 2023/24 season for Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez.
After spending the last season away on loan at Linares, where he enjoyed a fine stint, the 20-year-old finds himself as a part of Xavi Hernandez’s first-team setup at Barcelona.
A product of the Catalans’ La Masia youth setup, Fermin is making the most of whatever opportunities he has been receiving at the first-team level.
Indeed, in the matter of the last two weeks or so, the youngster has scored his first senior goal for the Blaugrana and made his first start for the La Liga champions.
On the back of his performances, Fermin Lopez even received his first-ever call-up to the Spain Under-21 national team for their matches against Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Opening about the call-up in an interview with RAC1, the starlet said: “I didn’t expect it, but I have worked hard since I was a child to have this opportunity. Thanks to my family and my environment, I’m taking it more calmly.”
The youngster also spoke about his spell away on loan at Linares last season, explaining that it was not entirely easy for him to leave the comforts of La Masia.
“It was a hard time outside Barça, I couldn’t imagine leaving the club. Here in Barcelona they have looked after me a lot. La Masia has been my second home,” he stated.
At the same time, the 20-year-old admitted that he had some problems dealing with not playing regularly during phases of his time at the Barcelona academy, saying:
“I didn’t play. It was the step to professional football and I saw that there was no light at the end of the tunnel. That’s when La Masia provided me with help and it went very well. It is a very relevant part and it should be made more visible. If the head doesn’t work, you don’t perform well on the pitch.”
Fermin’s spot in the first-team setup came about after an impressive run during the pre-season tour of the USA. And the young attacking midfielder went on to thank Xavi for the opportunity he gave, saying:
“I went to training and Xavi noticed me. I am very grateful to him because he is very close to everyone and, especially to the midfielders, he helps us a lot.”
The youngster also touched upon the surreal experience of being with the first team in the early days and insisted that he hopes to continue in the senior team in the future.
“The first few days he was really hallucinating. Imagine having Lewandowski or Gündogan next to you. For me, it’s a dream and I hope to continue in the first team next season,” Fermin stated.
The La Masia graduate also shed light on his relationship with fellow midfielder Pedri, stating that they shared a great relationship.
“I have a great relationship with Pedri, I hope he recovers soon from the injury. I think that after the international break, he will be able to start playing and see if he is 100% for the Clasico,” he remarked.
