Photo: Spanish-Nigerian midfielder flaunts swapped shirt from Asisat Oshoala in Nantes

Barcelona Femeni youngster Vicky Lopez has been spotted flaunting a swapped jersey from Super Falcons talisman Asisat Oshoala at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian national team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the current Women’s World Cup champions, Spain, in Nantes on Sunday evening, following a clever free-kick by Alexia Putellas.

Despite the loss, Oshoala was visibly delighted to see her former teammates, particularly Lopez, who shares Nigerian heritage with the now-Bay FC forward.

Before Oshoala’s move to the United States, she had a good relationship with Lopez, who joyfully swapped jerseys with the Nigerian forward after the match.

Who is Vicky Lopez?

Lopez, who has Nigerian roots, was born in Spain to a Spanish father and a Nigerian mother. Having played for Barcelona, she looks up to Nigerian forward Oshoala as a role model.

Soccernet.ng understands that Lopez was willing to play for Nigeria but never received a call-up, so Spain seized the opportunity to bring her into their team.

At just 16, Lopez made a name for herself by scoring an incredible 60 goals in 17 matches during the 2020/21 youth league season for Madrid CFF. Her standout performance at the U-17 Women’s World Cup is just one of her many achievements.

Lopez Turns 18 in Nantes

The midfielder recently turned 18 during the opening ceremony of the ongoing Olympic tournament, celebrating as one of Spain’s reserve players in France.

Although she has been selected by Montserat Tome, the newly-turned 18-year-old will not be able to play on the field with the rest of the team due to her reserve role.

Nonetheless, her role model, Oshoala, has added a special touch to her birthday by swapping jerseys, creating a lasting memory for Lopez.

Having appeared four times for the Spain women’s team, Lopez will not be able to don the colors of the Nigerian women’s team according to FIFA rules.