Fermín: Yamal is the best player; having him makes football simpler

Barcelona midfielder Fermín López was interviewed by GQ, discussing his growth, his career at Barcelona and with the Spanish national team, Lamine Yamal, Flick, and Luis de la Fuente, among other topics. This is the third part of the interview.

The other day I was looking at your stats, and your assists last season were almost on par with Yamal's. How do you explain that?

I don't really like looking at stats, but if you think about it seriously, it's quite incredible.

To be so close to a player like Yamal, who in my opinion is the best player, it shows that I've done well and had a good season. However, none of this would have been possible without my teammates. I also want to thank the Barcelona team—they helped me showcase myself on the field through goals and assists. I'm very proud to be able to help the team in this way.

Yamal is the most famous player of your generation. What's it like to play with him?

It's very easy for me. He is the best player. When you have players of that level around you, football becomes much simpler.

For me, being able to play with Yamal, whether at Barcelona or with the Spanish national team, is an incredible thing.

I think he's a very important player for both teams, and having him around makes everything easier.

I saw someone say that you found out about your first call-up to the Spanish national team through a video channel. Could there be a more "Gen Z" way than that?

(Laughs) Yes. I remember I was with my partner, and there were some rumors that I might make it into the squad at the last minute because I had never participated in a national team training camp before the European Championship. I was watching it on a video channel because the squad announcement was live.

When I saw my name, I turned off my phone, and then I was incredibly excited and started shouting. To be honest, it was a very beautiful memory.

Do you usually spend a lot of time on social media?

No, I use it normally. When I'm at home, I try to do other things and spend time with the people around me—my partner and my dog.

I try to use my phone less and disconnect a bit.

Do you like reading comments about yourself?

No. Because maybe today you're the best, and tomorrow you're the worst.

I try not to look at them. Of course, some comments always reach your ears because we're all exposed to social media. But whether they're good or bad, I try not to look at them, just focus on my own things, and not pay too much attention to outside voices.

When was the last time you Googled your own name?

Wow, it's been a really long time. But I'd say I did that when I first joined the first team.

Back then, I liked to search and see: "Fermín, Barcelona Football Club player."

For me, that feeling was truly incredible. Maybe that's why I searched my name then, but now I try not to.

How do you deal with fame? Your fame came very suddenly when you were very young. How did you handle it?

I handled it pretty well, because the people around me always keep me grounded. I'm still that humble young man, just like when I was at Linares Deportivo or La Masia. But it's true—sometimes you feel like you have no privacy. You have to be careful with everything you do, and the same goes for social media. If you go somewhere, you feel like someone is always watching you, and sometimes it can be a bit annoying.

But I think I've adapted quite well in the end, because that's my daily life. There's no other way. You either adapt to it, or it will cost you. I think I've adapted very well now, and it doesn't affect me.

Speaking of social media, I saw you posted a video of yourself playing football as a child. Are there any periods in your childhood memories when you didn't have a football at your feet?

No, no—honestly no. As long as I can remember, football has always been with me.

I loved being in the street, playing street football with friends. At La Masia, we would play on the pitch, and we would also sneak out to play. There was always a football in the room. Football has always been my best friend, and the sport has always accompanied me.

What's your earliest memory of football?

It's those afternoons when my friends and I played together on the pitch at El Campillo school. Those are very fond memories, and what I most often think of when I recall my childhood in my hometown. We were always playing football, either in the square or on the school pitch with friends.

Were you the best player in school?

Yes (laughs), why would I lie to you?

Maybe there was someone incredibly good who, for some reason, just didn't make it in the end...

Yes, that always happens. Those of us who eventually make it into top football always say we've seen some incredible players along the way who were truly excellent.

It's the same in my hometown—there were some older players than me who played very well, and also some people my age who were excellent. But I think I've always been a bit different, and everyone always liked to have me on their team.

So when teams were being picked, you were always the first one chosen...

Yes, that's right.

Do you have any hobbies that others might not expect?

Not many, because I don't have much time. But they're simple things. I really like walking my dog—I've said that many times.

I also like to go out with my partner, chat, and relax. I play video games and watch series—just normal things.

When you play video games, do you play FIFA, or do you play other games to relax?

Now I often play FIFA with my Barcelona teammates. If I'm not playing FIFA, I play Fortnite. Those are the two games I play the most.

For someone who is very used to winning, video games can sometimes be very frustrating...

Yes, sometimes they really are. I have to control myself a bit. I'm very competitive, and sometimes I get quite angry.

You always say you live a relatively frugal life. But when you want to reward yourself, what small luxury do you treat yourself to?

The main indulgence I can give myself is probably going to a nice restaurant with my family or partner after a match. I like good food, so if it's a very good restaurant, I don't mind spending money.

If I see clothes I like, I'll buy them too. I also bought a car a while ago. As long as I see something I like and it's reasonable, if I can afford to enjoy it, I will. But I always feel like I'm a very modest person and I don't spend money recklessly.

Last question: outside of football, what other dreams or goals do you have?

Outside of football, as I get older, I hope to start my own family, and I also hope my family always stays healthy. I don't know—maybe I also want to build my own house and create my own living environment.

These are all goals that people set for themselves in their personal lives, which is normal. But I think I'm still a long way off from these things.

Related reading:

Fermín: Scoring has always been one of my characteristics, and this year I enjoy scoring even more.

Fermín: Flick is very close to us; he always cares about us and gives us confidence.

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