Fermín López Takes Barcelona’s Legendary No. 7, Clearing Path for Rodri’s Iconic No. 16

FC Barcelona has officially announced a dramatic reshuffling of squad numbers at the Spotify Camp Nou, signaling the dawn of a new era under manager Hansi Flick.

La Masia graduate Fermín López has inherited the prestigious No. 7 shirt, which was recently vacated by winger Ferran Torres following his €50 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The move is a significant reward for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder, who enjoyed a spectacular breakout cycle.

Crucially, Fermín’s transition has cleared the way for blockbuster signing Rodri to claim his beloved No. 16 jersey. The 2026 World Cup-winning captain arrived in Catalonia on Monday to complete a €76.5 million transfer from Manchester City, rejecting interest from fierce rivals Real Madrid. According to reports, Rodri personally requested the No. 16—a jersey heavily associated with his legendary predecessor, Sergio Busquets.

The squad transformation does not end there. In a parallel move on La Liga's official registry, new goalkeeper Joan García has been assigned the No. 1 shirt following Marc-André ter Stegen's departure. With high-profile arrivals like Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi still awaiting registration, Barcelona’s revamped roster is firmly taking shape for a high-stakes campaign.