*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:44, 3 November 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 August 2024 (UTC)
López scored his first senior goal on 30 October 2022, in a 2–1 away success over Rayo Majadahonda. He finished the campaign with 12 goals in 40 appearances overall, being an undisputed starter for Linares.
2023–24 season: First team debut
After strong performances in training with Barcelona before the preseason, López was called up to their senior preseason squad in July 2023. He received international recognition after a strong performance for Barcelona, as he scored a goal and provided an assist in a friendly 3–0 win over their rivals Real Madrid on 29 July 2023.[4] After the game, Xavi confirmed that López was to stay with their senior side for the 2023–24 season.[5]
On 27 August 2023, López made his La Liga debut for Barcelona in a 4–3 away win over Villarreal.[6] Two days later, he signed a new contract at the club until 30 June 2027, with a buyout clause of €400 million.[7] The following 10 September, Fermin would make his official debut with Barça Atlètic after receiving Xavi's permission to play for them.[8] He was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in a 1–0 away loss to Gimnàstic de Tarragona.[9] López would later return to the first team setup and made his UEFA Champions League debut on 19 September, coming off the bench to replace Gavi in the 58th minute of a 5–0 home victory over Royal Antwerp in the competition's group stage.[10] A week later, in an away match against Mallorca, he scored his first goal for Barcelona and first La Liga goal: after coming on as a substitute on the 64th minute, with Barça losing 2–1, he scored a 75th-minute equalizer, setting the final score at 2–2.[11]
On 25 October 2023, López scored a goal on his first start in the Champions League in a 2–1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk,[12] in which he was also named player of the match.[13]
2024–25 season: Contract extension
On 31 October 2024, López extended his contract with Barcelona until 2029.[14][15] On 6 November 2024, López scored in a 2–5 victory over Crvena Zvezda in the UEFA Champions League.[16]
On 27 May 2024, López was selected in the Spanish senior 29-man preliminary squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[20] On 5 June, he debuted in a 5–0 friendly victory against Andorra at the Estadio Nuevo Vivero in Badajoz, coming on as a substitute to Barcelona teammate Pedri in the 62nd minute and assisting on the last goal of the game by another Barcelona player Ferran Torres.[21]
In May 2024, López was named in Spain's 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. The team would go on to win the tournament, with López being a largely unused substitute.[22] In July 2024, he was selected in the Spain under-23 squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. He and Spain would go on to win the Olympic gold medal at the men's football event in the Olympics. López along with his teammate Álex Baena became only the second and third players ever to win the UEFA European Championship and the Summer Olympic gold medal in the same year, after the French goalkeeper Albert Rust.[23]
Style of play
López is an right-footed central midfielder, with the versatility to play as an attacking midfielder. He has been described as technically proficient with great movement off the ball, adept at exploiting space, and productive with goals and assists.[24]
