Fermin Doubles Efforts to Lead U21s in European Championship

Fermin Lopez will once again double his efforts with the Spanish national team this summer. As in 2024, when he participated in the European Championship with the senior team under Luis de la Fuente and the Olympic Games as part of the U23 squad led by Santi Denia, the Barcelona midfielder will be present in the Nations League Final Four and, once the tournament concludes, in the U21 European Championship in Slovakia.

"For us, he is an example of commitment and professionalism, essential," said the U21 coach, who revealed discussions with Deco, Barcelona's sporting director, to facilitate the player's inclusion in the squad.

The Barcelona player leads a group of footballers already established at the elite level, although there are notable absences due to the Club World Cup, where key players for Denia over the past two years, such as Atletico's Pablo Barrios, Real Madrid's new signing Dean Huijsen, and Benfica's left-back Alvaro Carreras, whom the white club is also considering for their new project under Xabi Alonso, will be participating.

Conversely, familiar faces from La Liga remain in the orbit of La Rojita, such as Sevilla defenders Juanlu and Kike Salas, Valencia's central defender Mosquera, Barcelona's left-back Gerard Martin, midfielders like Athletic's Jauregizar, Real Sociedad's Turrientes and Pablo Marin, or Valencia's Javi Guerra.

Up front, Espanyol's forward Roberto Fernandez stands out, having scored six goals in the second half of the league; Moleiro, a key player for Las Palmas despite their relegation; or Betis' Jesus Rodriguez, the latest sensation from the verdiblanca academy.