Fermin's Father: La Masia's Difference Is That Youth Players Have Opportunities to Reach the First Team

According to AS, Fermin's father once said that his son has a strong competitive spirit and always keeps scoring goals in mind.

Fermin Lopez has become a key player for Barcelona. The midfielder has shown remarkable scoring efficiency at the start of this season, scoring four goals in four appearances so far and potentially becoming one of the main scorers for a team lacking a fixed central striker.

In 2023, after Fermin was named MVP in Barcelona's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk, his father Fermin spoke to AS about his son's personality and development. Fermin's father particularly highlighted his son's mentality and competitive desire in matches.

"He has character. He is a person with drive and a lot of determination, just as people say. Things have been going very well, he is becoming more confident, and I think he is in very good form," Fermin's father said at the time.

In his view, one of the keys to his son's development was maintaining confidence in difficult situations. He did not view Fermin's loan spell at Linares last season as a negative experience, but rather believed that period was very important for his son's career.

"That period was a little difficult. In the Primera Federación there were many excellent players who had come down from higher-level leagues, and the competition was very intense. But he adapted very well and showed great determination. It was incredible for everyone. We are very grateful to Linares," he recalled.

That experience helped Fermin gain experience away from Barcelona and adapt to a more physical, higher-intensity style of football before returning to Barca. His father also mentioned that his son has always had a strong emotional connection with Barcelona, and that his uncle is also a Barcelona fan. However, he himself is a lifelong Real Betis supporter. Fermin joined La Masia at the age of 13 and had previously been part of Real Betis' youth academy.

Fermin's father also praised the daily efforts made by Barcelona's youth academy. Over the years, he has accompanied his son to watch youth team matches at various levels and has closely witnessed the quality of the club's young players.

"I have watched Barcelona's youth teams play for seven years, not only his own matches but also those of his teammates. When we went to Barcelona to see him, he would also take us to watch matches of different La Masia teams," he explained.

Fermin's father believes that what makes La Masia different is that young players have opportunities to enter the first team. "There are certainly very talented kids in other academies too, but La Masia is different. Xavi was also developed by Barcelona itself, and the club has a lot of trust in these young players. Here, they have opportunities, while elsewhere they may not necessarily be able to succeed," he said.

Speaking about his son's playing style, Fermin's father focused on his desire to score goals. "He only has the goal in his eyes, he has a very strong desire to win, he is extremely competitive, and he is also a great person off the pitch," he said.

He also emphasized Fermin's personality away from football. Although he has developed into a professional player, in his father's eyes Fermin remains an ordinary, humble young man who stays closely connected with his hometown. "He grew up in a small town where everyone knows each other, so he has always been very ordinary and humble," he said.

At that time, Fermin was not focused only on football. While playing, he was also studying at university for CAFYD, a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. Fermin's father said that Fermin and his brothers were good students, and although balancing professional football was not easy, Fermin still worked hard to continue his studies.