Spain finally cap-tie Barcelona wonderkid of Nigerian descent as 17yo earns fourth cap for world champions

The Royal Spanish Football Federation have finally won the recruitment battle for FC Barcelona Femení forward of Nigerian descent Vicky López, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. 

López earned her fourth international cap for the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup winners as they defeated Denmark in a 2025 UEFA Women's Championship qualifier held at Vejle Stadion on Friday evening.

The 17-year-old entered the game as a substitute in the 65th minute as a replacement for Jenni Hermoso. 

Her appearance against the Danes ensured she is no longer eligible to represent Nigeria at international level despite being an U21 player.

López made her senior debut for Spain in a Nations League semifinal tie with the Netherlands on February 23, 2024 before making another appearance against France in the final five days later. 

She was given some minutes off the bench in Spain's 3-1 win against Czech Republic on April 9, taking her total appearances at senior level to three for the Spaniards before the trip to Denmark. 

Players with dual nationality under the age of 21 can only become cap-tied to a national team if they participate in four matches for their first country, and one of these games has to be a competitive fixture.

Few years ago, López was willing to represent the Nigeria national teams but the Nigeria Football Federation were slow to act.

López won the Golden Ball at the 2022 Fifa U17 Women's World Cup and is the youngest-ever El Clásico goalscorer, aged 17 years and 116 days when she found the net against Real Madrid on November 19, 2023.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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