Fermin Lopez embraces ‘Ferminator’ nickname after Barcelona double

Fermin Lopez has welcomed the “Ferminator” nickname given to him after his two goals secured Barcelona a 2-1 victory over Atletico de Madrid and kept them at the top of La Liga.

The Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo used the headline on its front page after Lopez produced a decisive performance for the Catalan club.

Speaking to journalist Sebas Guim on TV3, the 23-year-old Barcelona academy graduate said he intended to keep the new name.

“I like the nickname Ferminator, and I am happy that people call me that,” Lopez said with a smile.

The name combines Lopez’s first name with “The Terminator”, the title of the well-known action film. Mundo Deportivo used it to portray the midfielder as an unstoppable force, capable of damaging opponents with his intense pressing and powerful finishing.

Lopez has scored eight goals and provided seven assists this season, figures described in the report as making him the best attacking midfielder in Europe. Despite those contributions, he said he had sometimes felt his performances were not receiving sufficient recognition outside the club.

“It is a little frustrating to always feel that I am not properly appreciated, but at the same time I feel a lot of love from the club, my team-mates and the supporters,” he said.

The midfielder also addressed his relationship with Mounir, the father of Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal. Mounir warmly described Lopez as a “warrior” after Yamal supplied the pass for the winning goal against Atletico de Madrid.

“I have a very good relationship with Lamine’s father, as do my parents,” Lopez said.

Lopez opened his account with an equaliser, explaining that he controlled the ball with his left foot before finishing at an important moment.

“I controlled the ball with my left foot and struck it at a decisive moment to score,” he said.

His second goal completed Barcelona’s comeback after he received an excellent pass from Yamal. The pair then celebrated together with a gesture associated with the Japanese animated series Dragon Ball Z.

“I did not know it was a sign from Dragon Ball Z, but I saw Lamine doing it and joined him,” Lopez said.

The celebration recreated the famous fusion movement linked to the characters Goten and Trunks when they combine to become Gotenks.