Fermin talks Flick, Raphinha, success in 2025, Champions League: ‘We want to reach the final and win it’ | OneFootball

With the mid-season break underway, FC Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez is back in his hometown of El Campillo to spend Christmas with family and friends.

During his visit to his native, the 22-year-old La Masia graduate also happened to sit down for an extensive interview with SPORT, during which he discussed a plethora of topics, ranging from his learnings in 2025 to his goals for 2026.

Fermin reflects on his year

Kicking things off, Fermin touched upon what the year 2025 had meant for him, saying:

“I have learned many things, I have enjoyed myself a lot, we have won many titles, the first ones I have won with Barça. And also with the national team. I have fulfilled many dreams this year, and I have learned a lot as well.”

“I hope 2026 is the same or even better,” he added.

The La Masia product reflected on his journey at Barcelona so far and how quickly everything has changed in a short space of time.

“On a personal level, I think I am a bit more mature. I am still young, and I still have many things to experience, but my life has gone so fast that I think I have had to mature earlier than expected, and that is the change from the old Fermin to the current one.”

The midfielder admitted that processing so many changes in a single year was not always easy, as he noted:

“It is difficult because everything happens so fast and so many things happen. It is not that you do not value it, but you do not have time to value it because you do not stop to think about what is happening to you and what you are achieving.

“Sometimes, when I am at home, I think about what has happened, and I realise that I have fulfilled my dream.”

Continuing, he added: “Many times I do not think about anything. As I experience it almost every day, playing with the first team, scoring goals, I do not stop to think.

“But sometimes I am in bed, and I think, ‘bloody hell, two and a half or three years ago I was at Linares, now I am in the first team, and I have won I do not know how many titles and there is still more to come.’”

On the highs and lows of 2025

The year 2025 has been a memorable one for Fermin, having been part of the team that won the domestic treble in Spain. So, when asked to choose the most memorable moment for him this year, the youngster replied:

“One day I really enjoyed was the victory parade. For me, I cannot even describe it. I went crazy, I did not stop singing and jumping.

“I saw people crying, with the excitement of having won three titles after years without winning so many. It was one of the best moments of 2025, without a doubt.”

Fermin has enjoyed a memorable 2025. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

At the same time, there were some difficult moments for Barcelona during the year, with the Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan being perhaps the hardest one. Reflecting on that, Fermin remarked:

“That day in Milan was very tough, and the days after as well. There was a lot of excitement from everyone: from us, from the club, from the supporters.

“And to see how everything slipped away in such a short time, and the chance to be in a Champions League final, hurt us a lot.”

Rather than discouraging them, that disappointment has become fuel for the future, with Fermin and Barcelona aiming to go all the way in Europe this time around.

“We are very competitive and we are going to try again. There is still a long way to go and we are taking it step by step, but we want to reach the final and win it. Hopefully it will happen. We have that dream, that goal of winning the Champions League.”

On Hansi Flick and his role

Talking about Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and how the team has become so competitive under him, Fermin explained:

“The manager’s message is very positive, and that’s essential. Whether things are going well or badly, his message is always one of calm, of staying on our path and doing what he asks of us, what we know how to do.

“Above all, of sticking together. The message in the dressing room is clear, and we all feel the same way; we’re all in this together.”

On an individual level, he enjoys the clear guidance and confidence shown in him by Flick, as he said:

“He asks me for intensity, pressing, being vertical, having calm on the ball, not losing possession, getting into the box, shooting. The game I have always tried to play. And he gives you that confidence, and I feel very comfortable with him.”

Fermin enjoys Flick’s full confidence. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Versatility has become one of his main strengths, with Fermin having had to essay various roles this season.

“Honestly, just playing is enough for me. Right wing, striker like the other day, on the left, as an attacking midfielder. But yes, where I feel most comfortable is as a number ten, because that is where I can best exploit my qualities,” he said on the matter.

There is intense competition in the squad, especially when it comes to his position, and Fermin believes that it is healthy for the team and keeps pushing everyone to do their best.

“Competition on a human level is managed very well. The coach decides who plays and there is no bad atmosphere. Nobody falls out with anyone because they play in the same position,” he acknowledged.

“Every player tries to do their best in training and matches to earn minutes, and in the end, the coach decides. Internally, that makes you a better team.”

On the team’s form, teammates

Asked whether Barcelona can compete for everything again, Fermin was confident, as he said:

“I think so. Apart from one or two reinforcements, we are practically the same squad as last year, and now we are in a very good run again, winning many matches in a row. This team, with the squad we have, has to aim for everything.”

The attacking midfielder pointed to the losses against Real Madrid and Chelsea as turning points that have shaped the team for the better.

“The Clasico defeat and the one in London were turning points for the team. They are matches you can lose, and it is true that we were not as good as we usually are,” said Fermin.

“But since those days, the team has taken a step forward, returning to what we were last year. We are in a very good dynamic, and we hope it lasts until the end.”

Fermin also accepted that dips in form are inevitable over a long season, saying: “You cannot be at your best all the time. Of course, we try, and that is what we want, but there is always a match where you are not at the level, and things do not work.

“Look at last year in November. We had a run where we were not good, but we ended up winning the league, the cup and the Super Cup. These things happen during a season, but the important thing is to stay united and react.”

The return of key players has also made a difference, particularly one – Raphinha, with Fermin acknowledging as much.

“He has enormous energy, and he transmits it to the team. When he is on the pitch and you see how he presses, how he makes runs, the intensity in every movement, it spreads to the teammates, and we all go with the same energy,” he stated.

“Of course, it was noticeable when he was not there, he is a very important player.”

Fermin acknowledges Raphinha’s importance to the team. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Fermin also admitted that playing alongside world-class players like Raphinha, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal makes everything easier.

“Surrounded by great players like them, it is easier for your game to stand out. They are very good, they are gifted, and for yourself it is very easy to play with them.”

On whether Barcelona are now favourites in La Liga, having opened up a four-point lead over Real Madrid, he said:

“I do not like that idea of being favourites or comparing ourselves with others. We do not look at the others, we focus on doing things well.

“Obviously Madrid are our great rivals, but if we maintain our level and do things properly, the results will come at the end of the year.”

Wishes for 2026

Looking ahead at the new year, Fermin’s wishes for the future are clear: “I want 2026 to be the same or better than 2025, to win many titles and the Champions League. And of course, also the World Cup.”

On whether the Champions League is the title that every player aspires to win, the Barcelona youngster exclaimed:

“I don’t know if it’s the best, but it’s true that it has something special that everyone wants. The club hasn’t been able to win it for many years, and it’s a dream that everyone has.

“And the fans believe we are capable of winning it. That helps, and we’re going to try in 2026.”

Last season reinforced that belief, he added: “Yes, maybe it did. We were seconds away from being in the final and we could have won it. That also gave us strength, despite the difficult moment, to know that we are capable and can try again.”

As for his long-term future, Fermin leaves little doubt, reaffirming his intention to stay at Barcelona for a long time.

“Yes. I hope so,” he said.