How a WhatsApp message changed the course of Barcelona midfielder’s career | OneFootball

Fermin Lopez may be a La Masia graduate, but the story of his arrival on the first-team scene is nothing like his peers’.

Unlike Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, Fermin was never seen as one with the potential or physique to succeed at the highest level. He was not even close to being called up to the first-team even when Xavi Hernandez took over as the manager.

In fact, the manager only saw the player in action briefly at the club facilities after arriving, and while he did see a special spark, Fermin soon left for Linares after learning that he was not in the plans of even the B team.

A ‘WhatsApp’ message that changed it all

Lopez continued to grow on loan at Linares and produced great numbers, but Barcelona and Xavi remained oblivious to his development until the manager received Whatsapp message from a friend as relayed by Mundo Deportivo.

Indeed, it was a voice note from old acquaintance Domingo that alerted the first-team manager to Fermin’s numbers and quality and that he was still a Barcelona player.

Upon receiving that message, Xavi immediately recollected that it was the same player who caught his eye in one of his few early visits to La Masia and he then asked his team to extensively follow and scout the midfielder.

A key player for Barcelona. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Fermin did not have any hope of returning to Barcelona at that time, but Xavi and Co. placed him on the provisional list for the pre-season and called him up before the tour to the United States.

A single training session, at that point, won Xavi over as he saw Fermin’s quality in person and he was even said to have spoken to his team in amazement about the player saying,

“Have you noticed Fermin? He does everything well, understands the game, and dominates both legs.”

Xavi immediately asked for the player’s inclusion to travel to the United States for the preseason campaign, and handed him a debut eventually against Arsenal. In just his second game, which was against Real Madrid, he scored a stunner and provided an assist, and the rest is history.

Now, Fermin is one of the best, and most goal-scoring midfielders in world football and is a regular for both club and country.