Fermin Lopez Returns to Training in Protective Mask Following Champions League Injury Against Atletico

Fermin Lopez returns to Barcelona training in a protective mask following a bloody collision with Juan Musso in the Champions League quarter finals.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 7:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Mundo Deportivo

Midfielder Reintegrates Into Tactical Drills for Celta Vigo Clash

The atmosphere at the Joan Gamper Training Centre saw a notable boost on Sunday as Fermin Lopez made his return to the grass following a harrowing facial injury. Under the watchful eye of Hansi Flick, the Spanish international participated in collective drills while wearing a specialized protective mask designed to shield his mouth and jaw area. His presence in the session suggests he is being fast tracked for inclusion in the upcoming La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo on Wednesday, provided he suffers no adverse reactions to the increased physical intensity of first team training.

Champions League Collision Leaves Permanent Mark on European Campaign

The injury that forced Lopez into protective gear occurred during a high stakes Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. In a desperate attempt to convert a diving header, Lopez was caught in the face by the studs of Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso. The impact resulted in immediate and profuse bleeding from the lip and nose, an image that became a flashpoint for controversy when the officiating crew declined to award a penalty. Despite the severity of the trauma, the young midfielder initially attempted to play through the pain before being substituted in the 68th minute for Marcus Rashford.

Emergency Medical Intervention and Locker Room Trauma Revealed

Behind the scenes accounts of the incident highlight the physical toll the collision took on the player. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona medical staff were forced to administer emergency stitches in the locker room immediately following the player's withdrawal from the pitch. Witnesses described a scene of significant distress, with teammates reportedly holding the midfielder still as the club doctor worked to close a deep laceration on his lip. Subsequent evaluations in Catalonia required further stitches at a local hospital after the initial dressing room intervention proved insufficient to stem the internal bleeding.