Setback comes after an impressive season where the midfielder produced 13 goals and 17 assists
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez is set for surgery after suffering a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The injury is likely to keep him out of Spain’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 23-year-old was substituted at half-time during Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, with Alejandro Balde replacing him after the league champions went into the break with a narrow lead.
Barcelona confirmed on Monday that Lopez will undergo surgery, leaving no time for recovery ahead of football’s biggest event. Spain are due to announce their World Cup squad on 25 May.
The setback to Lopez comes after an impressive season for the midfielder. He played a major role in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign and, despite dealing with two separate groin injuries earlier in the season, he produced 13 goals and 17 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
His performances earned him a contract extension in January, tying him to the club until 2031.
Lopez made his senior debut for Spain in 2024 and has gone on to make seven appearances. He featured in three World Cup qualifiers this season and also played in friendlies against Serbia and Egypt in March, recording one assist.
The World Cup would have been his second major international tournament after Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, although he played only 28 minutes during that run.
Spain begin their World Cup campaign against Cape Verde on 15 June before further group matches against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
