Barcelona midfielder is the second-highest valued absentee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Barcelona’s players dominate Luis de la Fuente’s side in the Spanish national team squad called up for the FIFA World Cup, but the contingent is still missing one big name.

While Joan Garcia, Pedri, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsi, and even Gavi and Eric Garcia received call-ups, the big name who was left out of the event was Fermin Lopez.

The midfielder’s exclusion from the competition, however, had nothing to do with the manager’s decision but an unfortunate metatarsal fracture in Barcelona’s final La Liga game. Had he been fit, he would have certainly been in the United States for the event.

The second most valuable player to be out

As reported byMundo Deportivoin a recent update, Fermin is not just any regular player who is not at the premier event but one of the biggest names missing out.

Fermin missed the World Cup through injury. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In terms of market value in world football, there is only one player globally to have a valuation higher than the Barcelona star who is also not at the event.

At the moment, the midfielder is valued at a staggering €100 million, and only PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia valued at €140 million stands ahead of him as a higher valued player missing out on the World Cup.

Notably, however, the Georgian international is out of the event because his nation did not qualify.

Among the other top players on the same valuation as Fermin to miss out on the event are Cole Palmer and Dominik Szoboszlai. The former did not make the cut to join the national team while the latter’s nation did not qualify.

Expected to return in time for pre-season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

A stellar year

Fermin Lopez, with his valuation, is among the 15 highest valued players in world football at the moment and his numbers last season played a massive role in skyrocketing his value.

The player, after all, racked up 13 goals and 17 assists for Barcelona last season in 48 games. He is virtually a non-negotiable starter for Hansi Flick in big games, although Dani Olmo is a strong contender for the same starting spot.

Missing out on the big event through injury is indeed a massive blow for the La Masia graduate, but he will look to come back stronger and continue his dominance next season.