Unai Lopez - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Poor efficiency in service Lopez registered one shot (one on goal), 11 crosses (two accurate) and eight corners in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Lopez took eight corners and did have a shot on goal, but only two of the midfielder's 11 crosses were considered accurate. Lopez's numbers might be impressive on the surface but that level of inefficiency won't generate good results against a Barcelona team which gave up only 36 goals in last year's LaLiga campaign.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Signs contract extension with Rayo Lopez signed a contract extension with Rayo Vallecano through the end of the 2028-29 season, the club announced.

Impact Lopez has been a key figure for the Franjirojos since joining the club, making 222 official appearances across six seasons and contributing 10 goals. His consistency and importance to the squad over that period made the renewal a natural outcome for both parties, with Rayo securing one of their most experienced and reliable midfielders for the coming years.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from ban Lopez is no longer suspended and is an option again.

Impact Lopez was out for the season finale but is an option again as they head into the next season, serving his one-match ban. He saw a strong season in which his club qualified for a Conference League final and a spot short of a European spot in the table, recording four assists in 28 appearances (19 starts).

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss season finale Lopez will serve a one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in La Liga and will therefore miss Sunday's season finale against Alaves.

Impact Lopez picked up his fifth yellow card in La Liga play and will serve a one-match suspension for Sunday's season finale against Alaves. The midfielder has been mainly a rotational option for Rayo Vallecano this season and his absence will allow Pedro Diaz to get a larger role in the engine room for that clash. Lopez ends the season with four assists, a career high 36 chances created, 64 crosses and 55 corners across 28 La Liga appearances (19 starts).

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies assist Lopez assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), eight crosses (zero accurate) and seven corners in Monday's 1-1 draw against Girona.

Impact Lopez was poor in service with none of his eight crosses being accurate but he did have volume on his side with seven corners. The midfielder can post big numbers on this volume against Valencia, a team which has let in 50 goals so far in La Liga play.

MAY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Six crosses as a sub Lopez generated one shot (one on goal), six crosses (zero accurate) and five corners in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Barcelona.

Impact Lopez continued his run as a sub, only starting once in 11 games since the beginning of January. He didn't play in the previous game but came on with 31 minutes left in this game and took five corners. He has continued his run as Vallecano's second-highest set-piece taker. He has only attempted more crosses on two occasions this season.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona player ratings vs Rayo Vallecano: Ronald Araujo the unlikely hero while Joan Garcia stands tall on rare off days for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in narrow La Liga win

Barcelona maintained their stranglehold on La Liga's title race on Sunday, though they were made to work hard for their 1-0 win over Rayo Va...

MARCH 22 • goal

Barcelona player ratings vs Rayo Vallecano: Ronald Araujo the unlikely hero while Joan Garcia stands tall on rare off days for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in narrow La Liga win

Option from bench Lopez (groin) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Lopez was deemed fit ahead of Sunday's match and is an option, with the midfielder an option from the bench. He has started in 14 of his 16 appearnces this season, notching three assists, so he will likely move back into the starting XI after testing his legs.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Atletico Lopez (groin) is back available for Sunday's clash against Atletico but will have to be monitored, coach Inigo Perez said in the press conference, according to Union Rayo. "We have...

Impact Lopez has been sidelined by a lingering groin issue that's kept him out since the first match of the new year, but he's back on the training pitch this week and has added intense individual sessions to his workload. The midfielder is now in the mix for Sunday's showdown against the Colchoneros, signaling real progress in his recovery. That said, the staff will manage his minutes carefully to avoid any setback and keep him trending in the right direction.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Should be available Sunday Lopez (groin) was spotted training individually on grass Thursday and should be an option for Sunday's clash against Atletico, according to Pablo Villa from Radio Marca.

Impact Lopez missed the last match against Real Madrid with a groin injury but was trending toward a return against Oviedo and was seen back on the grass Thursday doing individual work, putting him on track for Sunday's showdown with Atletico. That is a major boost for Rayo Vallecano, as he is a locked-in starter when healthy and remains one of the first names on the team sheet. If he is cleared, expect him to slide right back into his usual role over the next stretch of fixtures.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Training fully Thursday Lopez (groin) was spotted training in full on Thursday and should be an option for Saturday's clash against Oviedo, according to Union Rayo.

Impact Lopez missed three of the last four matches and didn't feature in one due to a groin injury that he has now fully recovered from, returning to full team training and putting himself back in contention for Saturday's clash against Oviedo. This is a major boost for coach Inigo Perez, as Lopez is a locked-in starter in central midfield, and with Pathe Ciss suspended, he is expected to step right back into his usual role if available.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with adductor injury Lopez is still dealing with an adductor injury and isn't an option for the time being, coach Inigo Perez said in the press conference, according to Union Rayo. "Only Unai is injure...

Impact Lopez has been struggling with an adductor injury since the beginning of the year and isn't an option for Rayo Vallecano. The injury is expected to be minor and the midfielder shouldn't spend a lot of time on the sidelines, but enough to remain an unused substitute last time out and missing Sunday's clash against Real Madrid. Oscar Valentin and Pathe Ciss are expected to pair in the midfield until he returns.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench Lopez (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Osasuna.

Impact Lopez is named on the bench for Saturday's clash against Osasuna after missing the last two games due to an undisclosed injury. He returns to the squad following his recovery but does not immediately reclaim a starting role. The midfielder is available as a substitute option if needed.

JANUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Could return Saturday Lopez (undisclosed) should be available for Saturday's clash against Osasuna, coach Inigo Perez said in the press conference. "Luiz and Unai should be available. We still have to w...

Impact Lopez missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury but should be back available for Saturday's clash against Osasuna. The midfielder will likely be a late fitness call after the final training session and should resume a starting role once back with the squad.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Training away from group Lopez (undisclosed) trained on his own Friday and won't be available against Celta Vigo on Sunday, according to Union Rayo.

Impact Lopez has yet to train with the group and won't recover in time for the weekend. The midfielder could be available for the team's next game against Osasuna on Saturday, Jan. 24.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Out against Mallorca Lopez (undisclosed) is absent for Sunday's clash with Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Lopez picked up a physical problem in the previous game, and the staff decided to err on the side of caution to allow him to recover. Pedro Diaz is replacing him in the midfield in this one.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Available with limited minutes Lopez (undisclosed) played with discomfort and will likely get limited minutes in Sunday's clash against Mallorca, coach Inigo Perez said in the press conference, according to Unio...

Impact Lopez is an option for Sunday's clash against Mallorca but will likely get limited minutes after dealing and playing the last game with some discomfort. The midfielder is an undisputed starter for Rayo Vallecano and if the discomfort is minor, he will for sure start in the heart of the game on Sunday. If he had to be a late scratch, Gerard Gumbau will be the first in line to replace him.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't train Friday Lopez didn't train Friday due to an undisclosed problem and could be doubtful to play against Mallorca on Sunday, according to Union Rayo.

Impact Lopez's absence from training was out of the blue, and it's uncertain whether the midfielder will be available for Sunday's contest. If he doesn't play, look for Gerard Gumbau to emerge as a possible replacement in midfield.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist Lopez logged one assist with zero corners and one chance created in Friday's 1-1 draw against Getafe. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Impact Lopez assisted Rayo Vallecano's first goal of 2026, scored by Jorge De Frutos. The former will finish his current season with at least three assists, which is his highest in La Liga since its 2019-20 campaign. Lopez also has 36 crosses (nine accurate), 28 corners and 22 chances created this season.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension cleared Lopez is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Lopez has served his suspension due to the red card he received against Espanyol and is set to return in the next contest. The midfielder has been an undisputed starter for Rayo Vallecano and will therefore claim back that role against Elche on Sunday.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Two yellow cards Sunday Lopez was shown a red card in the 63rd minute of Sunday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Lopez was given a yellow card early in the first half and couldn't keep his head the rest of the match, sent off in the 63rd minute after another yellow card. This will lead to a one-match ban, returning to face Elche on Dec. 21. He's a regular in the midfield, so this will force a change, leaving a spot to fill, with Pathe Ciss likely to fill his spot next match after serving a suspension of his own.

DECEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Unused from bench Lopez (undi) was unused off the bench in Thursday's 3-2 win over Lech Poznan.

Impact Lopez was back on the team sheet for the club's midweek match after battling some injury issues, with the midfielder on the bench but going unused. He will look to work back into the starting XI for league play moving forward, starting in all but two games this season while recording two assists.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Saturday Lopez (undisclosed) isn't available for Saturday's clash against Villarreal, the club posted.

Impact Lopez was expected to start in midfield for Saturday's clash against Villarreal but is not on the match sheet. The midfielder is missing the game for undisclosed reasons and is replaced numerically by Isi Palazon in the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Assist from corner Lopez assisted once to go with four crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 3-0 victory against Levante.

Impact Lopez delivered four corners and attempted four crosses, one of which was accurate and led to the team's opening goal, resulting in his second assist of the season. It was his second consecutive game attempting four or more crosses.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Plenty of service Lopez generated five crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad.

Impact Though Lopez's crosses and corners didn't get him an assist, it's a good foundation to build on going forward. He has a good chance to get an assist if he maintains this volume after the break against Levante, a team which has allowed 14 goals in eight La Liga games.

OCTOBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Barcelona player ratings vs Rayo Vallecano: Ronald Araujo the unlikely hero while Joan Garcia stands tall on rare off days for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in narrow La Liga win