‘It was for him‘ — Fermin Lopez explains Messi-inspired celebration after scoring for Barcelona vs Newcastle United | OneFootball

Fermin Lopez continued his outstanding season as FC Barcelona secured a dominant 7-2 victory over Newcastle United in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, sealing progression to the quarterfinals in emphatic fashion.

The Spanish midfielder once again proved decisive, getting on the scoresheet and also providing an assist for Raphinha. With this latest performance, Fermin now boasts 12 goals and 16 assists this season, taking his tally to 28 goal contributions and making him the most effective midfielder in Europe.

Beyond his statistics, there was also an emotional layer to his night. The La Masia graduate had been hoping to face Lionel Messi in the Finalissima, a dream that was ultimately cut short following its cancellation. “I wanted to play against Messi. I was really excited,” he admitted after the match.

As noted by SPORT, Fermin Lopez even paid tribute to the Argentine icon during the game. After scoring Barça’s fourth goal, he climbed onto the barrier and spread his arms in a gesture reminiscent of Messi. “It was for him, since he sometimes made the same gesture,” he explained.

On the pitch, his importance in Hansi Flick’s system continues to grow. Despite the availability of Dani Olmo, Fermin was once again trusted with a starting role and delivered with a trademark display, combining intelligent movement with clinical finishing.

Reflecting on the win, the midfielder said, “It was a very difficult match, and I think we did things very well, especially in the second half with more control. We scored many goals, and the fans helped us a lot. I leave with very good feelings.”

Fermin’s rise has also been aided by midfield absences, with injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong allowing both him and Olmo to share significant minutes in recent weeks. However, even with increased competition, the 22-year-old appears to have taken a step ahead in the pecking order.