Fermin Lopez earned a call-up to the Spanish national team for the upcoming European Championships as he was listed in Luis de la Fuente’s provisional squad.
His maiden call-up is fully deserved, and while his place in the final team is yet to be confirmed, one assumes he has done enough to make the cut. After all, Fermin’s numbers this season have been outstanding.
Better than the champions
Barcelona’s La Masia starlet burst into the spotlight under Xavi in the recently concluded season, making 31 La Liga and eight UEFA Champions League appearances for the club.
The 21-year-old midfielder scored a stunning eight goals for the Catalans this season in La Liga, a number equal to that scored by all of Real Madrid’s midfielders together.
Indeed, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni have a cumulative total of eight goals this season, and the statistic only puts into perspective the greatness of Lopez’s exploits this campaign.
While indeed Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler have seen more success for Los Blancos, none of their position on the field was that of a true midfielder, as they played in much advanced positions.
Finishing with a bang
Fermin Lopez’s ascendency to the spotlight only heightened as the season passed, and it is safe to say that he peaked towards the end of the campaign.
The youngster, after all, scored five goals in his last seven league games for the club including a match-winning brace against Almeria.
Furthermore, he scored the match-winning goal against Sevilla in the team’s final outing of the campaign.
With Hansi Flick set to arrive and his direct attack-oriented brand of football, it will not be surprising if the youngster sees more prominence in the coming season.
All eyes, as it stands, are on the Euros and if the player can shine in his first senior international call-up.
