From Benidorm beaches to Barcelona - the rise of Lopez

Breaking news from the world of sport: From Benidorm beaches to Barcelona - the rise of LopezImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lopez has already won nine major trophies with Barcelona and two with SpainByAlex BrothertonBBC Sport journalistPublished38 minutes agoAn inflatable boat, a Rayo Vallecano shirt, and a chance meeting on a Benidorm beach - the beginning of Vicky Lopez's journey in elite football sounds like a work of fiction. Lopez, 19, is undoubtedly the next global star of the women's game. Over the past year, the attacking midfielder has established herself as a regular starter for the biggest powers in club and international football, Barcelona and Spain.

She has done so despite having to contend for minutes with Ballon d'Or winners and global superstars, and now looks set for global recognition at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. On Saturday, Lopez is set to play in a Women's Champions League final for the first time when Barcelona face Lyon in Oslo, live on Two and iPlayer (17:00 BST). Her journey to reach this point, it is fair to say, has not been conventional.

Match Details

Barcelona v OS LyonUefa Women's Champions League finalSaturday, 23 May, 17:00 BSTUllevaal Stadium, Oslo Watch on iPlayerWon over by an inflatable boatThe daughter of a Spanish father and a Nigerian mother, Lopez was born in 2006 in the tight-knit working class Madrid neighbourhood of Vallecas. At four years old she was playing football in the street with her older brother Jesus, an early education in the game that partly explains the flair, agility and speed she would become known for. "Vicky learned her craft on the streets of Vallecas, her style is very street-influenced," Spanish football journalist Irati Vidal told Sport.

"She used to play for fun while admiring and trying to copy Neymar's dribbles. "Lopez soon joined local girls and boys teams where she often played in defence, and her innate talent caught the attention of Alba Mellado. Mellado - a professional footballer and youth coach at Madrid CFF - a women-only club in the Spanish capital - was working on expanding the club's junior ranks.

After telling club president Alfredo Ulloa about the gem she had discovered, Mellado approached Lopez's family. The young girl decided she wanted to stick with her friends on the local team, but fate would soon give Mellado another opportunity. During a trip to Benidorm in the summer of 2015, Mellado bumped into an eight-year-old Lopez playing football with her cousins on the beach.

Mellado returned wearing a shirt of Rayo Vallecano, the La Liga side from Vallecas, to establish a connection with Lopez. "After a few days playing with her, I bought an inflatable boat big enough for her and her cousins to convince her," Mellado told Sport. "I think it paid off - a few days later her father rang me and said she was definitely joining .

Clubs and federations are monitoring the development, which could have lasting consequences.