Fermín López made the most of Barcelona’s Christmas break by returning to El Campillo, the small Huelva town where his football journey began. What started as a quiet holiday visit quickly turned into an emotional series of events that highlighted the close bond between the midfielder and his roots.
One of the most talked about moments came when Fermín donated an FC Barcelona shirt to the town, a gesture that was warmly received by local residents. The city council shared the moment on social media, writing, “Fermín López returns home… and does so leading with his heart.”
The council described the gift as “a symbol that goes far beyond sport: a bridge between his achievements and his people, between his present and his roots,” while also praising the player for never losing sight of where he came from despite his rapid rise at the elite level.
The message went further, noting that it is not every day the town receives “such a special gesture, from someone who carries … the name of his land in his heart.” The council publicly thanked Fermín for his “closeness and simplicity,” and for reminding everyone that pride in one’s origins is what truly defines greatness. They also reassured him that El Campillo will always be his home, with his shirt hanging there “with pride.”
That sense of mutual affection was also on display at the inauguration of the local supporters club, now officially named Peña Barcelonista Camp-Barça Fermín López Marín. According to SPORT, more than 100 people gathered at the venue, joined by the club’s president Miguel Saavedra, the town’s mayor Juan Carlos Jiménez, and Fermín’s closest family members. The Barcelona midfielder unveiled a commemorative plaque, signed the supporters club’s book of honor, and spent a long time greeting fans and signing autographs.
During the event, Fermín addressed those in attendance to thank them for years of support. “I want to thank the supporters club for the backing you’ve given me since I was little. For a culé, it is an honor to defend these colors. Visca el Barça,” he said. He added, “I will give everything with maximum pride and honor. Visca el Barça and Visca El Campillo.”
Mundo Deportivo reported that the renaming of the supporters club was intended as a tribute not only to his performances with Barcelona, but also to the way he has helped put El Campillo on the map. In his brief speech of appreciation, Fermín underlined how much the gesture meant to him after leaving the town at such a young age. “I want to thank everyone who has come, Saavedra and the entire supporters club for this gesture you have given with me. Since I left at 13, you have always treated me and my family very well. It is a source of pride that this supporters club carries my name; it is an honor. I will give everything for Barça, for this supporters club, for my town and for my family,” he said.
