Fermín López's journey is unusual for a La Masia graduate, as he struggled to gain recognition within the club. Originally from Beas, he was often overlooked due to physical concerns. Everything changed when Xavi Hernández took over as Barcelona’s head coach in November 2021.
At first, Fermín was not a regular starter in the youth team and wasn’t expected to join the senior squad. Still, during one training session, his talent caught Xavi’s eye. However, soon after, Fermín was loaned out to Linares, where he became a key player, earning confidence and scoring goals — all while remaining off the radar of Barcelona’s scouts.
The turning point came when Xavi received an audio message on WhatsApp from a friend named Domingo, who regularly sent olive oil from Jaén. Domingo praised Fermín’s outstanding season at Linares and reminded Xavi that Fermín was still officially a Barcelona player.
According to Marca and Mundo Deportivo, this message prompted Xavi to recall the young player and order close monitoring of his progress. Despite initial plans to loan or sell Fermín, Xavi added him to the squad preparing for preseason training.
On the first training session, Fermín impressed the coaching staff with his game intelligence and ability to use both feet effectively. Xavi consequently included him in the squad for the upcoming tour in the United States. There, Fermín made his first-team debut against Arsenal and soon after scored a goal and provided an assist in the match against Real Madrid.
Thus, a simple WhatsApp tip became a decisive moment in Fermín López’s career. Thanks to Xavi’s insight and attention, this talent was finally seen by all, giving Barcelona a promising new player.
This story reminds us that football success depends not only on skill but also on mentors’ belief, and sometimes small details can change a player's destiny forever.
