Victoria López Serrano Félix – known to the world simply as Vicky López – made history on Monday night by becoming the first recipient of the Women’s Kopa Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, marking her as the world’s best young female footballer under the age of 21.
López, 19, who plays for FC Barcelona, was born in Madrid to a Spanish father and a Nigerian mother. Her achievement has sparked celebrations in both Spain and Nigeria, with many Nigerians claiming pride in her success due to her maternal heritage.
According to multiple reports, López’s mother, Joy Felix, owned a business during López’s early childhood but was forced to shut it down following Spain’s economic crisis in 2008.
In 2018, when López was 11 years old, her mother died of a brain tumour after spending long periods in the hospital. During this difficult period, Madrid CFF, the club where López began her football journey, stepped in to support her. The club’s president and players often helped transport her to and from training sessions while her father was unable to do so.
As a tribute to her late mother, López frequently celebrates goals by looking up and pointing to the sky – a gesture she has said represents her remembrance of Joy Felix.
López was eligible to play for both Spain and Nigeria at international level. However, her father revealed that the Royal Spanish Football Federation had pursued her for years, while the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) never reached out.
Before committing to Spain, López publicly expressed her affection for the Super Falcons and hinted at the possibility of representing Nigeria as a way to honour her mother’s legacy.
That window closed in 2024 when López made her senior debut for Spain at the UEFA Women’s Nations League Finals, officially cap-tying her to the Spanish national team at the age of 17.
López’s rapid rise in football began at Madrid CFF before she signed for FC Barcelona in 2022. Since then, she has set several records, including becoming one of the youngest players to feature in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
At youth international level, she played a key role in Spain’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, where she was named Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player.
Her performances for club and country culminated in Monday’s historic win, where she became the first-ever recipient of the Women’s Kopa Trophy, an award introduced this year to recognise the top young female footballer globally.
Although López now represents Spain, she has spoken about her admiration for Asisat Oshoala, a Nigerian international and former Barcelona forward now playing for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, describing her as a role model during her formative years.
With the Women’s Kopa Trophy in hand and her career trajectory continuing to rise, López’s name is now firmly established on the global stage.
While she will represent Spain throughout her international career, her Nigerian roots remain a significant part of her identity.
