Lopez had time in Barca's academy before leaving.
Ahead of Monday's clash with Barca, he recalled: I lived some very good years at Barcelona. I met magnificent people who I will see next Monday. The truth is that I expected to continue there, but that didn't happen But it's not that it hurt me.
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"Thanks to that, I'm fulfilling a dream (at Valencia). Things happen for a reason.
I already knew Lamine Yamal, although he was young, and you could see that he was going to be a great player. I was also with Gavi and Fermin, and I'll see them on Monday in Barcelona. Everyone who plays there learns a lot and has great coaches, that's why so many play in the first team, just like at Valencia."