Fermín López will wear Barcelona's number seven next season, according to the official La Liga website. The number was previously reserved for Ferran Torres, but was freed up when the forward moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Now, Fermín has a chance to build his Barcelona legacy, becoming the first player from Barcelona's youth teams to wear the number seven since World Cup winner Pedro left in 2015.
The number switch also teases the arrival of Spain star Rodri. The midfielder, currently at Manchester City, has worn the number 16 for most of his career for both club and country. Fermín had previously worn that number, but his change means that Rodri will be free to take it when he officially joins, which looks likely soon. Rodri's arrival will be a huge addition for the club and one that potentially propels Hansi Flick's side to Champions League favorites.
Fermín has worn the number 16 for the past three years since he was promoted to the first team from Barça Atlètic. Last season was the attacking midfielder's true breakout year, though, as he recorded 13 goals and 17 assists in all competitions as Barcelona won La Liga and the Supercopa. Fermín would have been part of Spain's World Cup-winning team this summer, but was sidelined with a metatarsal fracture in his right foot.
Fermín is now set for another big season with the club. He has played on the left wing at times, but with new options Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon brought in, Fermín will likely establish himself as the starting attacking midfielder with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha on the wings, and either Gordon or Adeyemi up top, barring a new striker signing. He can play in a deeper role or on the wing if needed, which makes him a perfect option for Flick.
Player | Barcelona career | Appearances (goals) |
|---|---|---|
Ferran Torres | 2022-2026 | 140 (41) |
Ousmane Dembélé | 2017-2023 | 127 (24) |
Antoine Griezmann | 2019-2022 | 74 (22) |
Philippe Coutinho | 2018-2022 | 76 (17) |
Arda Turan | 2015-2020 | 36 (5) |
He will also hope to break a streak of frustrating number sevens at Barcelona. Since Pedro left in 2015, the number has been worn by Arda Turan, Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, and Ferran Torres. The latter two were frustrating at times in Catalunya before making moves to PSG. Griezmann, Coutinho, and Turan were each disastrous signings, showing Barcelona's mismanagement that led to financial struggles.
Before Turan, the number was worn by Pedro, who was a key figure for some of the most successful Barcelona teams ever, and David Villa. Villa joined in 2010 from Valencia and spent three strong seasons in Catalunya, winning the Champions League in 2011. He left in 2013, and Pedro, who had already been at the club for more than half a decade and won two Champions Leagues, took over. He wore it for two seasons, winning a second treble in 2015.
In a way, Fermín getting the number seven is a sign of Barcelona's return to being well-run. The number is not going to an expensive, blockbuster signing who will be a poor fit, like Coutinho or Turan. Instead, it's Pedro-esque: a young player who progressed through the youth teams and has earned his chance. That's more of the model that led to the club's tremendous success under Pep Guardiola and throughout the early 2010s.
After three seasons, Fermín has established himself as a key player and a fan favorite with Barcelona, and while the number switch is certainly at least partially Rodri-related, it's a deserved moment for the 23-year-old. He now has the chance to truly make the number seven his in a way that no Barcelona player has in a very long time.
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