[Edu Polo] From overlooked La Masia prospect to Barça breakout star: a simple WhatsApp from an Andalusian friend alerted Xavi to Fermín López’s brilliance at Linares, earning him a preseason chance, dazzling performances, and a life-changing path into FC Barcelona’s first team.

Fermín’s career path is not the typical one for a La Masia player who reaches FC Barcelona’s first team. Although he joined as a child from Betis and always stood out for his talent and quality, he never particularly shone in Barça’s youth system. There was always an internal debate about whether he lacked the physicality needed to become a top-flight player. As happened with Puyol under Van Gaal or Pedro under Guardiola, sometimes a brave coach and a stroke of luck are needed to change a player’s destiny. That’s exactly what happened to Fermín with Xavi Hernández.

When the coach from Terrassa arrived on the Camp Nou bench in November 2021, Fermín was not considered one of La Masia’s top prospects for the first team and wasn’t even a regular starter in the youth squad. During those early months, he once joined a first-team training session along with other reserves, and the small but highly talented youngster caught the attention of Xavi and his staff.

However, a few months later, Fermín was loaned to Linares, as he was not in the club’s plans—not even for Barça Atlètic—and was not seen as a future first-team option. In Andalusia, he developed as a player, gained prominence, and became a key figure at Linares, far from Barça’s spotlight and the youth coaches’ radar.

Until one day, Xavi received a WhatsApp message from an old acquaintance—an Andalusian named Domingo, who would occasionally send him olive oil from Jaén. In that message, Domingo alerted Xavi to the incredible season Fermín was having at Linares and reminded him that he still belonged to FC Barcelona.

That voice message changed Fermín’s life.

Upon hearing it, Xavi immediately remembered the player he had only coached for a single day but had already noticed something special in. He then instructed his staff to closely monitor Fermín, who, in the second half of the season at Linares, stood out above the rest, became the team’s top scorer, and displayed the qualities now recognized by everyone.

After the loan, Fermín still wasn’t part of Barça’s plans, with the club considering either selling him or sending him out on another loan. But Xavi, having followed his progress thanks to the “tip-off” from Domingo—known to him as “Domingo the oil guy”—included him in the group of academy players for preseason ahead of the U.S. tour.

It only took one training session for Fermín to convince Xavi. After the first preseason scrimmage, the coach was amazed:

“Have you noticed Fermín? He does everything well, understands the game, uses both feet…”

Although he wasn’t initially on the list to travel to the United States, Xavi requested his inclusion. He took him on tour, and just days later, in the opening match against Arsenal, Fermín was the first academy player to come on. In the next game, against Real Madrid, he scored a stunning goal, provided an assist, and introduced himself to the world.

The rest is history. Without that message from Domingo—the olive oil man—and Xavi’s keen eye, who knows what would have happened to Fermín López’s career.