Fermin Lopez interview: 'It's hard to keep your feet on the ground'

The road to the Barça first team is travelled differently by each player who arrives at his destination. Not a single one of them has it easy, but some more than others. The case of Fermín López is that of a stubborn child, in love with the ball itself even more than with football, a good student, introduced to it by his uncle Juan, known as 'Miri', short for Maradona, who also played football very well and is his mother's brother.

It is the story of a son whose father allowed him to enjoy himself on the pitch in exchange for continuing his education. Fermín López is this season's revelation at Barça, the club he always dreamed of playing for, and it is clear to him that this has only just begun. Sincere, orderly, and offering pleasant conversation, the player from El Campillo (Huelva) tells SPORT about the road he has travelled to defend the badge with which he has shared his life trajectory.

Born in El Campillo?

No, in Minas de Riotinto, where the hospital is, which is about five kilometres away.

Well, that's circumstantial. I'll ask it another way. From El Campillo?

Yes, I lived there until I was thirteen.

What do you remember from that time?

Well, my life was that of a normal boy. I went to school in the morning, with my friends, my lifelong friends. And then, in the afternoons, I remember, I did private classes, from three to five or so. My parents put me with a friend of my mother's... And then football, you know, football, just football, the football pitch, the school tracks, the square... My life was school, football, school and football.

Were you a good student?

Yes.

And why did you do private lessons?

Because my father was always a bit demanding in that area and he used to put me there to get more marks, but it's true