Fermín López, one of the pearls of La Masia who excited Xavi in the preseason, has renewed with FC Barcelona until 2027 with a record from the subsidiary. The 20-year-old Andalusian midfielder signed his new contract this Tuesday morning in an act with the manager responsible for youth football, Joan Soler; the sports director, Deco; and the youth soccer director, José Ramón Alexanco, at the sports city offices. The termination clause will be 400 million euros. "Fermín had offers from other clubs in Spain but he always wanted to succeed at Barça," says his entourage.
Born on May 11, 2003 in the small town of El Campillo (Huelva), Fermín immediately earned the nickname 'El Messi de El Campillo'. His parents, Lola and Fermín, did not hesitate to sign him up to play soccer. And when he was eight years old, Fermín started playing for Recreativo de Huelva. Four years later, Betis signed him and he remained for four seasons in the lower categories of the Verdiblanco club. "But he always thought of Barça," his father told La Vanguardia after learning of the official renewal. "He listened to his uncle a lot, a culé who infected him with his Barcelonaism," he adds.
"I've been a culé since I was little and my dream is to succeed here. I don't believe what has happened ”, explained Fermín himself after fulfilling his dream in A
Fermín arrived at Barça in the summer of 2016. His first coach was Carles Martínez, who told this newspaper that his adaptation was not easy. He earned the nickname 'Fermín el pequeñín' because he physically did not evolve at the same rate as the rest. "I was looking for strategies to shoot and reach the goal but I didn't have the strength," says Martínez. Although Fermín was not a starter neither in his childhood nor in his two years as a cadet, at the end of the course the club's technical management always bet on his continuity Because they thought the best was yet to come.
When he arrived at Rafa Márquez's subsidiary, the club recommended that he go on loan to grow. Far from being demoralized, he joined Linares FC, a team from the 1st RFEF. He returned to his beloved Andalusia and embroidered it. Undisputed starter with Alberto González, Fermín became his team's top scorer with 12 goals and four assists in his locker. "The year was spectacular. From the beginning he fit in very well with the group both because of his game and his way of being. Later he evolved to be more and more decisive," González explained to La Vanguardia.
He will never stand out for his height (1.76) but he has managed to strengthen his lower body and at the age of 20, those who know him assure that he is prepared in every way for great challenges. "His personality is perhaps his greatest virtue. He is humble, fun, competitive and enjoys playing a lot. All this also helps him to be a teammate who is much loved by everyone else," adds the Linares coach.
His work, talent and attitude were his passport to return to Barcelona. His physique has also improved. Although it was not planned that he would travel to the tour -his name was not among those chosen before the preseason began-, Xavi tested him in training. He convinced him and decided to summon him. He is now one of the players registered to play LaLiga. Fermín the little one has grown up.
"But now he must continue working. This is long and expensive. He must be patient and take advantage of his opportunities that will surely come even though he has a lot of competition," says his father, unable to hide the excitement he feels at seeing his son achieve his goals. For his part, Xavi Hernández's approach is for the Andalusian to gain minutes and confidence in this stretch of the season in which Barça cannot count on Pedri.
