He spent most of his professional career with Atlético Madrid, appearing in more than 300 competitive matches and winning four major titles, including two Europa League trophies.

However, during the 2007–08 campaign he lost his position to Mariano Pernía, and would end serving more time at right-back due to injuries to teammates Giourkas Seitaridis and Juan Valera;[5] when selected, he was the side's undisputed captain.

[11] On 1 April, he scored in the same fashion in an eventual 2–2 draw at Valencia CF in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League,[12] a competition which was won in Hamburg with him playing the entire 120 minutes of the 2–1 victory over Fulham and lifting the trophy as captain.

[16] He scored his only international goal during the successful campaign, hitting home from 25 metres in the first minute of a 6–0 rout at San Marino on 12 October.

[17] Supposed to back up Asier del Horno in the final stages, López would not benefit from the former's injury days before the tournament started, as Argentine-born Pernía would be promoted to first-choice.