Four Titles at 19? And Vicky López Is Only Getting Started

Vicky Lopez won her fourth league title with FC Barcelona on Wednesday night, a feat that many footballers look to achieve over their career. Lopez has done it at just 19-years-old. Should the blaugrana club clinch the two remaining trophies they’re still in the run for, by the end of this season, Lopez can have 14 titles with the first team to her name.

Jonatan Giraldez signed the madrid-born winger in July 2022 on a five-year contract from Madrid CFF. She was initially set to be primarily with the B team, but by September 2022 she had already secured her first start for the first team and became the youngest women’s player to debut for the first team at just 16-years-old. One year before, Lopez debuted in Liga F with Madrid CFF, becoming the youngest player to ever play in the Spanish professional league at just 15.

Since joining the Liga F champions, Lopez has almost broken as many records as goals scored. In November 2022, she became the youngest player, male or female, to feature in El Clásico. The following season, Lopez wrote her name in the history books again, becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in El Clásico.

I just enjoy playing football

In December 2022, she became the youngest FC Barcelona player to ever play in the Champions League. Fast forward four years, she already has 25 UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances. She was destined for greatness as soon as she put on a balugrana kit and hasn’t slowed down since she arrived to the club.

There could be an entire article about all the records and special moments that Lopez has been a part of at just 19-years-old, but what really makes her special is who she is on the pitch. She’s a player who always says she’s still just enjoying playing football, like she’s been doing her entire life. 

Her joy is contagious, and watching her play reminds you why you love the sport so much. She has innate talent on the ball and pulls moves that, as much as you train them, they don’t come across as natural and effective as Lopez. She shows up in big moments for club and country by simply enjoying her football and showing off her intelligence. 

“I still just enjoy playing football. I’m a person who transmits happiness to people who watch me play,” said Lopez in a recent interview for The Guardian. “I think I bring a lot of joy, youth and playfulness.”

Young successful miracle

She’s a magician on the ball with moves only a natural talent can pull off on such big stages. Lopez is only 19, but she carries herself with the maturity of someone who already has two UWCL titles to her name. While she always enjoys being on the ball, she knows the importance of the teammates she has around her and the idea that she’s only one in a team of 11 on the pitch trying to attain a common goal. 

Lopez has had to go through hardship at an early age, losing her mother to a brain tumor at 11-years-old. Going to football training became harder as her father had to take both her and her older brother. Madrid CFF’s president and Lopez’s teammates at the time helped take her to training when her father wasn’t able to, allowing for Lopez to stay committed to football and continue on the path to reach her full potential. Thank you to the help of Madrid CFF we are relishing one of the brightest footballers there is at the moment.

At just 19, she’s already achieved what many don’t achieve over an entire career, and she only wants more. A self-awareness that she still has a long way to go to become the footballer that she wishes to be, but she has already proved herself beyond her years. We still have many years of enjoying Vicky Lopez on the pitch. She is the present and the future.