Fermin Lopez reveals how difficult it was to watch Spain’s World Cup glory from home: ‘It hurt a lot not to be there’

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, has opened up about the difficult experience of watching Spain’s World Cup campaign from home after an injury ruled him out at the worst possible moment.

Fermin had been in excellent form and felt he was close to fulfilling one of the biggest ambitions of his career. Instead, he was forced to watch his Spanish teammates compete while he recovered from an injury.

Now back with the national team, the Barcelona midfielder says the experience changed the way he views football. 

After three months out, he has returned determined to make the most of every opportunity.

Fermin admits missing Spain’s World Cup was difficult

Fermin’s first priority after getting injured was to regain the level he had reached before being sidelined. The Barcelona midfielder believes he has managed that despite the lengthy absence.

“The thought I had when I got injured – when everything looks bleak at first – was always to get back to the level I was at, or at least to try. 

“I think that, considering I’ve been out for three months, I’ve come back quite well.”

His return to the Spain squad has therefore carried extra significance. Luis de la Fuente has restored his place among the national-team group, something Fermin described as a major source of pride.

“It’s very important, and I’m very grateful to Luis, especially for the confidence he’s shown in calling me up again, and I’m very happy to be here with the national team. 

“We all dream of being in the national team, and coming back is an honour for me.”

The hardest part, though, was missing the World Cup itself.

“Obviously, it was tough because I think I deserved to be there too. But these things happen, and I believe everything happens for a reason. 

“And although it was tough, I was also happy for my teammates and for my country.”

Barcelona teammates helped him through the disappointment

Watching Spain was particularly painful during the opening stages of the tournament. Fermin admits he initially struggled to watch the matches while recovering at home.

“At first it was quite hard – the first few days, the first few matches – because I hadn’t quite come to terms with it yet, or it still hurt. 

“It hurt a lot not to be there, whilst I was sitting on the sofa with my foot in a bandage. As the days went by, I started to move on, and in the end I managed to watch almost the whole World Cup.”

Several teammates remained in contact with him, helping him feel involved despite being away from the squad.

“I spoke to a few of them. To be honest, they were far away, but some of my teammates remembered me. It was also very special for me to feel that I was important to the team and that they missed me. 

“I’m grateful that they got in touch from there, and I wished them the best of luck and cheered them on.”

Fermin singled out the Barcelona players, with Lamine Yamal even preparing a shirt for him during one match.

“They’re my teammates at the club, and we used to chat often. I suppose I spoke to Lamine a bit more, and I know that one day, during a match, he’d got a shirt ready for me in case I scored, but he didn’t manage to score. 

“The gesture was there – his photographer told me about it – and it’s a lovely touch that never quite came to pass.”

Fermin has changed his outlook after injury

Fermin eventually travelled to support Spain in person during the final, experiencing the tournament from the stands rather than the pitch.

“Yes, I went because it was also important for me to be there to support the team. I enjoyed it in a different way, just like any other fan.”

The experience has left him with a different appreciation for the everyday routine of professional football. 

Having never suffered a serious injury before, Fermin says three months on the sidelines changed his perspective.

“Thank God I’d never had a serious injury before; it was my first one of that sort, and it came at a rather inopportune time. You learn to appreciate every day, to appreciate being able to train every day. 

“I even came to value simply walking immensely. What I try to do now is think back to when I was injured – how much I loved it, and how I would have given anything to get back to training, to get back to playing. 

“So I try to enjoy every day,” he concluded.