Spain dominated the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina a couple of weeks ago to add a second star to their crest in New York.
Barcelona’s Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in extra time, his sweetly timed volley enough to see off La Albiceleste.
However, Torres was far from the only Blaugrana player at the site of triumph.
Ferran shared the field with the creative Dani Olmo, metronomic Pedri, dynamic Lamine Yamal, and brick wall Pau Cubarsi. There were three more Barcelona players on the bench in Eric García, Gavi, and Joan Garcia.
All that glory quickly manifested itself on social media.
Naturally, all the summer champions changed their Instagram profile pictures to photos of themselves with the elusive World Cup trophy as fans rejoiced.
All of Gavi, Cubarsi, Pedri, Olmo, Torres, and Garcia’s displays proudly showed them kissing the gold plated enigma.
However, it did not take long for Barca fans to figure out the Spaniard who was left behind, his profile picture featuring The Batman heartbreakingly reflected no change either side of the tournament.
Watching all the action unfold from back home was another future world-class import from Catalunya, Fermin Lopez.
The youngster will no doubt be reminded of it very pointedly when his teammates at Barcelona are honoured by the club at the start of the season for bringing home the World Cup.
Looked at my irl friend group and im the only one without a girlfriend pic.twitter.com/X5gioukSzw
— Ź🕸️ (@ALB3D0000) July 31, 2026
Fermin enjoyed a breakthrough season with Barcelona last season, contributing 30 goals and assists as the Catalan clinched the double. However, injury late into the season deprived him of the chance to be a part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain and add to his seven caps.
“It’s been the worst summer of my life. I was at my peak, everything was going well, and then the injury happened,” Fermín spoke recently.
Winner of the 2024 Euros and the Olympic gold in Paris, Fermin was expected to be a critical cog of the Luis de la Fuente machinery in North America. Instead, he could barely watch on as La Roja dominated the tournament.
“It’s been the worst summer of my life. I was at my peak, everything was going well, and then the injury happened,” Fermín spoke recently.
“I didn’t watch the first few matches of the Spanish national team in the World Cup. I couldn’t. I wanted to be there at the World Cup.”
Nevertheless, he eventually made peace with the situation to watch Spain add a second star to their crest.
“Let me make it clear that it made me very happy to see my teammates win the World Cup. Towards the end of the World Cup, I felt a bit better and decided to go see the final live in New York,” he added.
Fermin is on the road to recovery from the most painful period of his career as the new season looms around the corner. The Barcelona forward has been out of action since May when he fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during a La Liga game against Real Betis.
Fermin underwent surgery shortly after and has returned to training with the ball during Barcelona’s pre-season in England. The club recently released a clip of the 23-year-old undergoing some movement and passing drills as he prepares for a competitive come back.
The Blaugrana began their pre-season against Europa followed by an encounter against Birmingham City, and are now headed to Italy where they play Nottingham Forest and Udinese.
However, Fermin is not expected to be back until their very final friendly against Al-Ahly. The Egyptian giants will travel to the Camp Nou for the annual Joan Gamper Trophy on August 19, less than a week before Barcelona’s La Liga curtain raiser against Elche.
Fermin recently revealed he is free of discomfort and is hopeful of getting a few minutes from manager Hansi Flick against Al-Ahly.
Thereafter, Fermin’s focus back on the task at hand after Barcelona. Having won back-to-back league titles trumping arch rivals Real Madrid, the midfielder now has his eyes set on winning the Champions League to break a decade-plus drought at the club.
