​Fermin Lopez endured one of the toughest moments of his career last May when an untimely injury ruled him out of the World Cup. The Barcelona midfielder has since been making rapid progress in his recovery and is on track to be fit for the start of the new season. According to Diario AS, Fermin is progressing impressively after surgery on his foot, and the club remains confident he will be available when La Liga returns.
The injury dealt a cruel blow to the 22-year-old. He suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot in an unfortunate incident that required surgery and ultimately ended his hopes of featuring at the World Cup. The setback left him stunned, and he needed considerable time to come to terms with missing out on the major tournament—a goal he had worked tirelessly to earn.
Nearly two months after the injury, the mood around his recovery has shifted to a far more optimistic note. Over the past week, Fermin has been carrying out targeted work on the pitch, all under the close supervision of physiotherapist Jose Cortes, who has overseen his rehabilitation from day one. The midfielder is reportedly recovering at a remarkable pace, and while he will not be ready to join his teammates when they report for pre-season on July 13, the expectation is that he will link up with the squad within a couple of weeks.
There is encouraging news beyond his on-field sessions, too. Fermin’s rehabilitation plan even includes traveling with the squad to their pre-season camp in England, where he could feature for a few minutes in the friendly against Birmingham on July 31. This progression would mark a crucial step in his return to full fitness and competitive match rhythm ahead of the new campaign.
Perhaps most importantly, Barcelona are confident that Hansi Flick will have Fermin available for the official start of the season. With the league schedule adjusted, the opening matchday has been pushed back by a week, meaning Fermin’s return is now expected to coincide with Barcelona’s first fixture against Elche on the weekend of August 22-23. By that point, three months will have passed since the injury, a period the club regards as more than sufficient for a complete recovery.
The news will come as a major relief to both Fermin and Flick. Over the previous season, the midfielder established himself as an increasingly pivotal figure for Barcelona, delivering energy, goals, and versatility from midfield. His return to full fitness provides the German coach with another valuable option as Barcelona looks to defend their La Liga crown.
After the heartbreak of missing the World Cup, Fermin Lopez will be fiercely motivated to make up for lost time. The pathway to his comeback is unfolding in a manner that offers renewed optimism for both the player and the club as they prepare for a challenging but potentially triumphant campaign ahead.