Fermín López reveals injury-hit summer cost him Spain's World Cup triumph at his peak

Fermín López has opened up about the psychological toll of missing Spain’s World Cup triumph, describing the summer as the darkest of his career and revealing he needed professional support to get through it.

The 23-year-old Barcelona midfielder was in the form of his life when an injury abruptly ended his tournament hopes, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as his compatriots claimed international glory. Speaking to Catalunya Radio’s Tot Costa from Barcelona’s pre-season camp in England, López did not hold back on how deeply the experience affected him.

“It’s been the worst summer of my life. I was at my peak, everything was going well, and then the injury happened,” he said. “You learn from these situations, but it’s true that I’ve had a really tough summer. I’ve gotten through it thanks to my family, my partner, and my friends. I needed help. I already had it before, but my coach has helped me a lot to get through it.”

The emotional weight was heavy enough that López initially refused to watch Spain’s matches at all. “I didn’t watch the first few matches of the Spanish national team in the World Cup. I couldn’t. I wanted to be there,” he admitted. “Let me make it clear that it made me very happy to see my teammates win the World Cup. Towards the end, I felt a bit better and decided to go see the final live in New York.”

Now working under Hansi Flick at Barcelona’s pre-season camp in the United Kingdom, López says his recovery is progressing well and that he is targeting a return to action at the Joan Gamper Trophy.

“I’m feeling better every day. I have no discomfort, which is important,” he explained. “If everything goes well, I could play a few minutes in the Gamper Trophy match. The intention is to come back from this injury with even more motivation. I think I’m very ready. I’ve already shown how I can help Barça, and I have to continue doing the same next season.”

López also spoke about his ambitions for the coming campaign, noting that a Champions League title remains the collective goal at the club — a dream he is now more determined than ever to chase after the painful months he has endured.