Despite significant squad reinforcements over the past two years and the emergence of talented academy players, competition within FC Barcelona’s first team remains fierce. This reality unfortunately translates to limited playing time for certain individuals, regardless of their perceived ability or impressive performances.
One such case is Ferran Lopez, a young midfielder who impressed during pre-season and showcased his potential in early season matches. However, his involvement with the first team has dwindled, leaving his future at the club uncertain.
According to SPORT, Lopez currently ranks 18th in minutes played for the senior team, with a total of 1032 minutes, significantly lower than the 2935 minutes accumulated by the leader, Ilkay Gundogan.
Lopez’s journey this season began with a surprise inclusion in the pre-season squad after a successful loan spell at Linares. He capitalized on this opportunity, scoring a memorable goal against Real Madrid in a Texas friendly, earning him a place under Xavi.
His most prominent stretch coincided with Frenkie de Jong’s injury earlier in the season, during which he started five consecutive matches and scored his first official goal for Barcelona against Mallorca.
However, De Jong’s return and Gavi’s recent injury have not translated to increased playing time for Lopez. His last league start came in December against Almeria, and while he has featured in cup matches, he primarily serves as a substitute under Xavi.
Notably, Lopez did not see any playing time against Napoli in the Champions League, highlighting the current limitations on his opportunities. If this situation persists, Lopez may need to reconsider his future at Barcelona, despite having a contract until 2028 with a €400 million release clause.