Fermín López has revealed that he will be giving up Barcelona’s No. 16 shirt starting next season after choosing to wear the No. 7 jersey. The Spanish midfielder admitted feeling slightly emotional about leaving behind the number he wore since making his first-team debut.
Speaking about the switch, the Barcelona midfielder said: “I asked for the No. 7 because I’ve always loved it. I feel a bit sad leaving the No. 16 behind, but it will be in safe hands.”
The squad number change coincides with Rodri’s arrival at Barcelona from Manchester City. After the Spanish midfielder requested the No. 16 jersey, Fermín willingly agreed, moving to the No. 7 shirt made available following Ferran Torres’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Fermín enthusiastically welcomed Rodri to the club, adding: “Rodri will bring us so much quality. He is an incredible player, and this is an amazing signing”—reflecting the dressing room’s excitement over the marquee transfer.
Barcelona and Manchester City reached a preliminary agreement for Rodri’s transfer in a deal worth €60 million guaranteed plus €10 million in performance-related add-ons, with the player signing a four-year contract through June 2030.
Rodri had entered the final year of his contract with Manchester City but chose to return to La Liga and join Hansi Flick’s project, favoring the Catalan offer over interest from Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Fermín emerged as a pivotal figure under Flick last season, tallying 13 goals and 17 assists (30 direct goal contributions) while surpassing 3,000 minutes played for the first team.
