Barcelona and the Spanish national team are considered the best sides in women’s football. Breaking into either of them is no easy task, not even for more experienced players. But that’s not the case for the 19-year-old Vicky López, who recently helped Spain triumph in the Nations League.
It was clear from a very young age that López was an exceptional talent — as early as four years old, when little Vicky first started playing football. Even then, she was able to outplay boys twice her age.
Although she is often spoken of as Barcelona’s future, she actually grew up in Madrid. That is also where she began her club career, specifically in the academy of Madrid CFF. The club may not dominate the Spanish Liga F, but it does have an excellent youth programme — and Vicky is proof of that.
She made her debut in the Spanish top flight at just fifteen, becoming one of the youngest debutants in league history. She immediately caught the attention of commentators, fans and scouts with her technique and confidence. Such an extraordinary talent could hardly escape the notice of one of the world’s best teams — Barcelona.
Moving to one of the strongest clubs in the world at the age of sixteen might seem like a risky decision, one that could deprive a young player of precious development time and leave her stuck on the bench during her best years. But not in the case of Vicky López, who has shown that despite her youth, she absolutely belongs at this level.
During her first season she made ten appearances and scored twice, which is not a bad statistic at all. Because of her age and late kick-off times, she couldn’t yet be used regularly, but she still made the most of every opportunity. Xavi Llorens and other coaches in both the academy and senior team have long described her as an “exceptional talent”, which in Barcelona carries weight. Many see her as the eventual successor to La Reina Alexia Putellas.
She has also shone in the Spanish jersey. With the U17 national team she wore the captain’s armband and collected several achievements — most notably winning the U17 World Cup, where she was also named in the Team of the Tournament. Her talent didn’t go unnoticed by sports journalists either: she was awarded the Golden Girl, a prize for the best female player under 21. At the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony she also became the first woman ever to receive the Raymond Kopa Trophy for players under 21. She dedicated her speech to her late mother, to whom she dedicates every goal. Her mom passed away from brain tumor when Vicky was only 11.
López is a remarkably mature player for her age, making very intelligent decisions on the pitch. Even though she would still be eligible for youth teams, she already plays regularly for the senior national side. She made her debut at 17 years and 6 months in the Nations League against the Netherlands, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for Spain. At 19, she is now a key figure for both Spain and Barcelona — she recently helped the national team secure yet another trophy by scoring in the Nations League final, adding to her already impressive collection of honours.
The young López is on course for a long and successful career. Hopefully injuries will stay away and she will continue to shine. A truly stellar future awaits her. She already has achievements that many older players can only dream of.
