Fermín, the U-21’s ‘Number 10

Bayern cools off on the option to sign Araujo A few days ago, Santi Denia announced the call-up for the Spanish U-21 national team, which includes Barcelona’s Fermín López, along with Pablo Torre (on loan at Girona) who was called up due to Nico González’s injury.

Fermín has stepped up for Barça following the injuries to Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, two indispensable players in midfield. The Andalusian player scored the opening goal in the Champions League return leg against Napoli and netted the third goal at the Wanda Metropolitano to secure a crucial victory for Barça.

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Santi Denia had already called him up earlier this season for friendly matches and Euro 2025 qualification games. Fermín has become a regular for the Manchego coach, starting in all official matches.

Despite having fewer minutes in a certain period, the midfielder has maintained his performance level and patiently waited for his chance. “If you have a bad game and people from the team or the coach come and encourage you and give you confidence to do well in the next game… Well, everything is easier,” he recently commented in an interview with SPORT. The Spanish Football Federation has officially announced the squad numbers for the U-21 team for the matches against Slovakia and Belgium. Fermín will wear the ’10’, the number traditionally reserved for ‘stars’. In recent call-ups, this number was worn by Gabri Veiga, who is absent from this squad due to injury. In previous matches, Fermín had worn the number 14 jersey. If he manages to establish himself as a regular starter in Xavi’s lineup until the end of the season, the Huelva native could potentially earn his debut with the senior national team, as recently accomplished by Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsí. He was previously included in Luis de la Fuente’s preliminary squad in November, although he ultimately did not make the final cut.