Barcelona starlet sought Xavi’s permission to play for Barça Atletic today – report

While Lamine Yamal might be garnering all the attention, and rightly so after his stunning breakthrough, another Barcelona starlet, Fermin Lopez, is quietly carving out a spot for himself in Xavi’s plans.

Having returned from a loan stint at Linares, it was largely expected that Lopez would be a part of Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic roster for the 2023/24 season.

But a solid run during the pre-season tour of the USA has meant that the 20-year-old finds himself in the first-team dynamics under Xavi after signing a new contract until 2027.

Fermin Lopez to play for Barça Atletic today

Unlike Yamal, Lopez has not yet made a big splash in La Liga, but the 20-year-old starlet made his official debut for the Catalans in the third game of the season against Villarreal.

But with first-team football coming to a brief pause due to the international break, Lopez has taken it upon himself to get some minutes with the subsidiary team.

Indeed, SPORT’s Toni Juanmarti is reporting that Lopez himself took the initiative and sought Xavi’s permission to play for Barça Atletic today when they take on Gimnastic.

The 20-year-old understands that he needs to keep playing to maintain his rhythm and given his lack of game-time with the senior team thus far, wanted to make the most of the international break and get some minutes under his belt with the reserves.

Xavi more than happy to accommodate Lopez’s request

The report adds that Xavi was more than pleased to accommodate Lopez’s request and grant him permission to play for Barça Atletic under Rafa Marquez’s orders.

The Barcelona first-team manager sees it as a way for the youngster to gain some rhythm and momentum by playing during the international break.

It remains to be seen how much of a role he has against Gimnastic tonight, but Lopez’s initiative and attitude are also understood to have pleased Xavi.