Spain look set to be without one of their key players at this summer’s World Cup
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Spain midfielder Fermin Lopez is expected to miss the upcoming World Cup after sustaining a fracture to his right foot.
Barcelona confirmed on Monday that the 23-year-old will undergo surgery for the injury, which occurred during Sunday’s Spanish league fixture against Real Betis.
The club stated: "Lopez suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in the game against Betis. The player will undergo surgery."
While Barcelona did not provide a specific recovery timeline, it is understood Lopez will not be fit for next month’s tournament. Spain are scheduled to play their first game of the group stage against Cape Verde on 15 June in Atlanta. They will then take on Saudi Arabia six days later, before concluding their group campaign against Uruguay on 27 June.
This setback follows a successful period for Lopez, who was part of the Spain squad that won the 2024 European Championship.
Lopez has won La Liga this season but is set to miss out on the World Cup
Lopez has won La Liga this season but is set to miss out on the World Cup (Reuters)
He also helped the under-23 team secure a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring six goals, including two in the final against host France.
Lopez has earned seven caps for Spain and featured in three of their World Cup qualifying matches last year.
He also played in both March friendlies against Serbia and Egypt, and was expected to be named in Spain’s squad for the World Cup prior to his injury.
It is a disappointing end to what has been an impressive season for Lopez at club level.
He has scored six La Liga goals in 30 appearances to help Hansi Flick’s side retain the Spanish title with something to spare.
Lopez also netted six times in the Champions League as Barcelona reached the quarter-finals before suffering an agonising defeat against fellow Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Lopez has shown his versatility for Barcelona, operating as an attacking midfielder, but also as a central midfielder or from either wing, and he could be a big miss for Spain as they aim to win the World Cup for the second time in their history following their only previous triumph in 2010 when they beat the Netherlands in the final.