Not everyone gets into the spotlight they deserve in soccer, but last Sunday was one of those days when Fermín López simply flipped that script over. The midfielder, who had been suffering through an injury-plagued season shrouded by uncertainty, became the object of standing ovations. Fermín shined bright against Valencia, carving his name into the Barcelona's recent history by pulling off something not seen since the times of Lionel Messi at his finest.
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A memorable game in Barça history
Fermín López didn't arrive with too much fanfare against Valencia. To that point, the 2024/25 season wasn't looking exactly so bright for Barça's number 16. Two consecutive injuries in September ruled him out of action for a month and a half, and the memory of his outstanding statistics last season seemed to be going out of reach: 11 goals and one assist. The story changed in the Estadi Olímpic as the midfielder decided it was time to rewrite it.
With two goals and two assists, Fermín did something nobody had done this season for Barcelona. He became the first player of the team to reach those numbers in a single game in 2024/25 season. What is even more amazing is that the last player to achieve anything similar was none other than Lionel Messi back in October 2019. That day, at Camp Nou, Messi scored twice and gave two assists in their 5-1 victory over Real Valladolid. Now, five years and 89 days later, Fermín is following in the footsteps of the Argentine legend by placing his name alongside one of the greatest players in soccer and Barça history.
Impact on the pitch
Fermín's game against Valencia wasn't about the goals and assists, but his stats tell a tale of an all-round performance: how involved he was in the game. He completed 57 out of 65 passes-an impressive accuracy for a midfielder in such an energetic role. Nailed 4 out of 5 dribbles, too, and also won half of the duels he went for-8 out of 16.
More than the numbers, though, the game showed the ocular proof of Fermín's night. He led the rhythm in midfield, shone with his runs, and showed confidence that must have seemed latent during the recovery stages. That night Fermín was Barça's pulse, proof that the team is different when he plays.
Comparisons with Messi
Comparing Fermín López to Lionel Messi might be a bit of an exaggeration, but the stats don't lie. The last time a player from Barça scored two goals and provided two assists in one game was Messi himself-a comparison as heavy as it is inspiring. For Fermín, this shouldn't be seen as pressure but rather as a milestone that highlights his immense potential.
The midfielder doesn’t have to shoulder the burden of Messi’s legacy, but his performance against Valencia shows he’s ready to carve out his own path at the club. He’s already proven that, on inspired nights, he can be as decisive as any star in the squad.