Barcelona midfielder Fermín López was interviewed by GQ, discussing his growth, his career with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, Lamine Yamal, Flick, and Luis de la Fuente, among other topics. This is the first part of the interview.

Foreword

As a typical Gen Z player, Fermín first learned of his call-up to the Spanish senior national team through a video channel. Ultimately, a last-minute injury prevented him from participating in the World Cup, but this significant setback did not discourage him.

Now fully recovered, Fermín has returned and has had a strong start to the season with Barcelona. It seems nothing can stop him. Most people celebrate victories, but for many, defeat is a more frequent experience.

Even Fermín, born in El Campillo, Huelva province in 2003 and now 21 years old, is no exception. He has won two La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey with Barcelona, as well as an Olympic gold medal and a European Championship with the Spanish national team. But sometimes, even when you perform well and deserve to win, you can still lose.

Fermín experienced this at the last World Cup, when he was unable to play due to a toe injury. The injury came at an inopportune time and cost him dearly. While the tournament's eventual outcome may have left the Andalusian midfielder with even more regret, there will be other opportunities in the future.

At club level, he has had an excellent start to the season. Fermín is a typical La Masia product—slender, technically gifted, with excellent vision—but also somewhat different. With his forward runs and late arrivals in the box, he breaks the stereotype of Barcelona's traditional midfielders.

So far this season, he has played nearly every minute for Barcelona and has already scored four goals, making him one of the most offensively dangerous midfielders in football today. Some Premier League giants have even made high offers to sign him. However, Fermín himself states that he still "needs to find some rhythm" to reach his best form. Judging by his performance, that's hard to believe. If his improvement continues, this could be a historic season.

You missed the last World Cup due to injury. Recently, we've seen many key players from national teams and clubs suffer injuries, especially toward the end of the season. What do you think is the reason?

It's normal because we play many matches and travel a lot, and by the end, both body and mind are tired. I always try my best to take care of myself so that I can play in good condition, especially in the final stages of the season, because that period is very important.

Although you couldn't participate in the World Cup, your role in the Spanish national team is very important. You already have a European Championship title and an Olympic gold medal, and you have scored more goals in one season than Iniesta and Xavi combined in seven seasons. Why do you think you have such a knack for scoring goals?

This has always been a characteristic of mine—this connection with scoring goals. Since childhood, I've always scored many goals. I think I'm somewhat different from Xavi and Iniesta. They are incomparable players, but I have other characteristics. I'm always closer to the box, I like to push forward, and I'm always looking to score. I've always had a good relationship with goals, and this year I'm enjoying it even more.

You are very young, and the average age of this new generation of the Spanish national team is also around 22. What do you think is most important for success in football at this level?

It's a combination of everything. Those of us who can play at the top level have enough talent to be here, but what's more important is your mental state and how you take care of your body. At this level, all players are excellent and at the same standard as you. I think mental and physical preparation, and how each person approaches it, ultimately makes the difference.

As a player, what aspects do you still need to improve?

Too many. Because I'm still very young, and I've always liked to learn and want to keep improving. There are many aspects I need to improve—I can't pick just one specifically. I think I'm on the right track. I'm someone who likes to listen to advice and learn. I believe that with time, my football level will continue to improve, both offensively and defensively.

Do you feel that you belong to a different generation of Spanish players than in the past? Do you have this "same generation" feeling among yourselves?

I haven't thought much about this, and we don't like to compare ourselves to players from other eras, let alone those legendary generations who won everything. We are just forging our own path, striving to represent the Spanish national team and our clubs in the best way possible. I think we are on the right track.

In the national team, as in all locker rooms, there are always smaller, closer groups. Which group do you think you belong to?

Actually, almost all players stick together, because for most of the year, we don't see each other, and usually only players from the same club meet regularly. I think we all come together, but I do have a close circle of friends, such as Baena, Grimaldo, Cucurella, and my Barcelona teammates like Yamal, Pedri… But if I had to say, I get along well with everyone—we are all one unit.

Among the new generation of Spanish players, some have a very "street" style and are very interested in fashion, like Yamal and Nico. Do you have this style, or do you take a different approach?

I try to find my own style, but yes, I like street style. For example, I quite like Yamal's style. But there are many players who dress very well, and I try to find my own style, experiment with new things, and listen to advice from others.

Let's continue talking about football. As a young player like you, you may have already had the chance to play against your childhood idols. Can you tell me who your idols are? Have you had the opportunity to be teammates or opponents with them?

Since childhood, my idols have always been Iniesta and Messi. I can't play with Iniesta anymore, and I won't have the chance in the future, because he has retired. Of course, I would have really loved to play with him.

As for Messi, I've always regretted that the match that could have happened in Qatar ultimately didn't. I truly wished I could have been on the same pitch as Messi.

Of course, like all players, you also strive to forge your own path. But sometimes people also look at certain careers, not to completely imitate, but to draw inspiration and learn. For you, which players' careers are like this?

I think almost all of my idols have had very outstanding careers, and Messi is still continuing his. I think their careers are almost impeccable. Messi and Iniesta are both my role models. If my career could reach a quarter of theirs, it would be a dream for me. I hope I can achieve similar accomplishments.

When you watch Iniesta play, is there anything that makes you think, "I wish I had that ability of his"?

I would say everything, because he has always been a player I greatly admire. In my opinion, he is a very complete player. But if I had to choose, I would specifically mention his dribbling and his vision, which I think are outstanding.

Looking back a little further, who was the first person to believe in your football talent?

Are you talking about during my time at Barcelona, or in my family?

Even earlier. Because when you came to Barcelona, I understand that someone had already noticed you…

Then I would say it was my first coach in El Campillo. From the first time he saw me, he kept telling my parents that he felt there was something different about me. His name was Rafael. I think he was the first person to coach me, and also the first person to believe I was special and that I could go far in football.

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