Fermín López credits broken foot for newfound gratitude

In the quiet of his Barcelona flat, 23‑year‑old midfielder Fermín López watches the World Cup final from a sofa, his right foot still wrapped in a bandage. The former La Masia graduate, who logged 13 goals and 17 assists in the 2025‑26 campaign, reflects on the broken fifth metatarsal that sidelined him for three months.

The fracture, suffered in May, robbed him of a chance to compete in the 2026 World Cup, a tournament he had been tipped to join. Since the season opened, López has already contributed four goals and two assists, signalling a swift return to form. “The world seemed completely dark,” he recalled, adding that he told himself to work back to his previous level.

He now says even walking feels a gift, a perspective forged by the injury that was his first major setback. Teammate Lamine Yamal’s support, including a promised shirt‑wave after a goal, highlighted the camaraderie that helped him cope. While the world‑champion title eluded him, López’s renewed mindset has drawn interest as he prepares for the new campaign.