‘Fought hard to get here’… Fermin Lopez speaks out after renewing with Barcelona until 2029 | OneFootball

Succeeding in the world of football is an extraordinary feat, and even more so at a club like FC Barcelona. The epitome of football in many ways, the Catalan club is a destination that many players can only dream of. However, some manage to realize that dream of joining Barcelona, and even fewer people manage to make it count.

When it comes to endurance and resilience, two things that are considered absolutely crucial for any player who wishes to make it to a club like Barcelona, there is perhaps no better example than that of Fermin Lopez. The La Masia talent may now be a recognizable player of FC Barcelona, but that was not always the case.

Unlike Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez did not get an immediate promotion from the quarry to the first team on the basis of exceptional talent. Instead, he had to go on a loan to Linares and then earn his way into the first team through a spectacular pre-season showing under Xavi Hernandez.

Now, however, he is well-established within the team and continues to deliver whenever he is counted upon. As a result of that, he has recently been rewarded with a contract extension until 2029, despite the fact that his previous contract was set to expire in 2027.

Following the official signing ceremony, as highlighted by SPORT, the 21-year-old Spanish midfielder spoke about his journey and other details in depth. For him, staying with Barcelona for the years to come is a dream come true:

“For me, it’s a dream come true, the dream I’ve had since I arrived at La Masia. I’m so happy for myself and my family, to be in the first team and at the club I dreamed of as a child.”

The club’s faith in his abilities is also something that the player has not overlooked, and he intends to pay that faith back by working hard to help them achieve even greater things:

“I’m very grateful for the confidence they’ve shown in me. I hope to spend many more years here. I’m thrilled with the moment I’m experiencing now and will keep working hard to achieve more.”

However, if there is one thing that defines Lopez better than anything else, it is his resilience. Despite the difficulties he faced in getting where he is today, the young Barcelona midfielder carried on and he even acknowledged that he knows that he has ‘fought hard to get here’ when talking about his journey to the first team:

“I’ve fought hard to get here, and now I want to enjoy it. I’ve approached it all with a natural attitude, though it’s true I’ve had to be very patient. It’s been a longer and tougher road, but this year, I’ve achieved unforgettable things, and I hope to keep achieving more.”

As for his objective moving forward, the youngster was clear and precise about it: “To help the club as much as possible and for the whole team to win many titles together.”

So far, Fermin has played under both Xavi Hernandez and now Hansi Flick at the club. Under the leadership of the German coach, he is understandably facing a lot more competition from other top players who play in the same position that he does, but it seems like nothing can persuade him to give up his desire to compete for everything.