FC Barcelona gave a coup of authority on matchday 21 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/2026 by convincingly beating Real Oviedo 3-0 at the Spotify Camp Nou, a result that allowed it to regain the lead in the standings alone after Real Madrid’s setback against Athletic Club. But beyond the score and the three points, what has really shaken Barcelona fans and the specialized media has been Hansi Flick’s unexpected reaction in the locker room after the final whistle.

The German coach, known for his tactical demands and his coldness in public evaluations, surprised everyone and everyone by completely ignoring the outstanding performances of Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha – two of the names that have had the most minutes and prominence in the season – to focus all the attention on a player who, until recently, seemed to be in the background: Fermín López.

According to several sources present in the locker room, Flick gathered the team in a circle and, bluntly, addressed the young 22-year-old Andalusian midfielder directly. With a smile that is rarely seen at a press conference, he said in front of all his colleagues:

«Fermín, you have surprised me with this legendary level. Today you have been the engine, the soul and the brain of the team. This is what I always want to see: intelligence, hunger, sacrifice and quality in every ball. Keep it up and no one is going to stop you!

The comment, partially recorded by one of the locker room attendees’ phones and leaked minutes later on social media, immediately went viral. Fermín López, who came in as a starter in the double pivot alongside Pedri, had a performance to mark: 92% passing accuracy, 8 recoveries, 3 key interceptions, a goal disallowed due to millimeter offside and the assist for Raphinha’s second goal (although the Brazilian was not mentioned in Flick’s praise).

Their physical display allowed Barça to maintain absolute control in the midfield, completely neutralizing Oviedo’s attempt at high pressure and facilitating the quick transitions that ended in goals from Dani Olmo (22nd minute), Raphinha (58th minute) and a spectacular overhead kick from Lamine Yamal in the 79th minute.

Flick’s decision to highlight Fermín over De Jong and Raphinha has not gone unnoticed. The Dutchman, who returned after a muscle injury and completed 78 minutes without serious errors, expected to be one of the big names in the game. Raphinha, for his part, scored and assisted, but his performance has been irregular in recent games and his body language in the final minutes of the match reflected a certain frustration. Sources close to the locker room assure that both players were visibly surprised when Flick dedicated the bulk of his words to the young man from El Campillo.

The German coach’s message goes beyond simple praise. In a context in which Barça has depended a lot on the individual magic of Lamine Yamal, Pedri and the scoring instinct of Lewandowski (who rested in this match), Flick seems to be sending a clear signal: he wants more collective consistency, more players capable of deciding from anonymity and less dependence on established names.

Fermín López, trained at La Masia and who has already accumulated 14 goals and 9 assists so far this season in all competitions, perfectly embodies that profile: versatile, tireless worker and with a tactical maturity that is surprising for his age.

After the game, in the official press conference, Flick maintained his line but without reaching the level of effusiveness of the locker room. «Fermín played a very complete game. He is a player who understands what we need: high pressure, clean starts and arrival from the second line. “Today has been key,” he commented briefly. However, when asked about De Jong and Raphinha, he simply said: “Everyone has contributed. “We have to keep working.”

Within the club, the episode has generated debate. Some see in Flick’s words a touch of selective motivation, a way of pushing the undisputed incumbents not to rest on their laurels. Others interpret that the German is beginning to establish new hierarchies for the decisive months: League, Copa del Rey and, above all, the Champions League, where Barça will face Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 in a high-voltage match.

Fermín López, for his part, was humble in the mixed zone: «I just try to give my all every time I take the field. For the coach to tell me that in front of all my teammates is a huge source of pride, but it doesn’t change anything. “We have to continue working equally or harder.”

The next league match against Valencia in Mestalla will be the first litmus test to see if this public praise translates into continuity for Fermín in the starting eleven. Meanwhile, Barcelona fans now have a new reason to be excited: a local boy who, with quiet work and evident quality, is conquering the heart of the most demanding coach who has been on the culé bench in recent years.

Hansi Flick has made it clear that he does not give out praise. When you hand them out, they mean something. And in this case, the message is resounding: Fermín López is not just a promise. It is beginning to be an indisputable reality.