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Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo recently sat down for an extensive interview for the program ‘Universo Valdano’.
In the interview, he reflected on his football journey, from starting as a child playing alongside his brother to his time at Espanyol, and Barcelona’s youth academy.
He also discussed his bold decision to move to Croatia at the age of 16, his outlook on football, and his eventual return to Barcelona, the club where his heart lies.
At just 26 years old, despite his many achievements, Olmo remains hungry for more success. He admitted, “I feel like I haven’t done anything yet and there’s so much more I can achieve.”
Although he has tasted success with Spain and Dinamo Zagreb, Olmo is driven by his desire to lift more trophies with Barcelona. His ambition to win titles is clear:
“I’m insatiable, I want to win more and more and keep winning. In the end, we compete for titles, we are footballers and we like to win, I don’t like to lose even to marbles, you always have to go for everything,” he added.
Starting a new chapter
Dani Olmo wants to keep winning at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Olmo’s return to Barcelona is not about closing a chapter; rather, he views it as the beginning of a new and exciting journey.
His goal is to help the team secure more titles and bring joy to the fans. His hunger for victory is unwavering, as he doesn’t enjoy losing, not even in the smallest of games.
“Barcelona are not closing the cycle, but starting a new one with the maximum enthusiasm and the same ambition that I have had until now.
“The next step is to win and continue winning to give everyone a lot of joy,” he said.
Best playing position
When it comes to his preferred position on the pitch, Olmo made it clear that playing as an attacking midfielder, in the number 10 role just behind the striker, is where he feels most comfortable.
“As a midfielder, 10, just behind the nine, that’s the ideal place where I feel best.”
His confidence was evident from the moment he stepped onto the field for Barcelona, immediately making an impact in the second half of a game against Rayo Vallecano.
“I started well because of my personality, I was confident that it was the best club and the team for me.
“I knew many players with whom I had coincided and played many games and I knew that he was going to understand me perfectly.”
Thoughts on Pedri
Dani Olmo and Pedri share a great relationship. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Olmo also spoke about his connection with teammates, especially Pedri, with whom he feels a natural understanding.
He mentioned how easy it is to play alongside Pedri and how their chemistry helps improve their performances.
“I knew that with Pedri I was going to connect perfectly, he is one of the players with whom I understand the most today and being able to play with him throughout the year in the same team makes it much easier for me”.
Words on Yamal and Raphinha
Additionally, Olmo highlighted how playing with Lamine is just as effortless, and he acknowledged Raphinha’s tireless energy, which motivates the rest of the team to give their best.
“With Lamine, it is also very easy.
“Raphinha seems tireless. Sometimes I tell him, Rapha, be careful, but that pressure, that desire that he has without the ball to recover.
“That makes the others say ‘hey, I can’t stand here if the one on my side runs like this, I’ll be the same or more’,” he noted.
Then there is Flick
Olmo didn’t miss the chance to praise Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick. He described Flick as a coach who instils confidence in all his players, whether they are regular starters or not.
“He is a very close coach, he is there for everyone, for those who play and those who play less, he is there for whatever you need. It gives us the confidence we need.”
This trust extends even to the younger players like Marc Casado, who is performing at a high level despite this being his first year with the senior team.
“Not only the most veterans, those who have been in the elite for the longest time, but also the youngsters, such as Casado, who is the first year that he is more in the first team and the level he is showing is very high.”
Finally, Bayern Munich
Dani Olmo scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Looking ahead, Olmo expressed his excitement about Barcelona’s upcoming matches, particularly against Bayern Munich, a team he knows all too well.
He fondly recalled one of his greatest footballing memories, when he scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Bayern in the Super Cup during the summer of 2023.
That match, he said, was one of the highlights of his career, both for the performance and for the significance of the game.
“It was one of the best memories I have. Because of the game, the situation, what was at stake, which was a trophy like the Super Cup, because it was the first game of the year.
“It was a dream match because of how it happened and how it ended. It is one of the best memories I have in Germany, without a doubt,” he said.
Olmo’s words make it clear: his journey with Barcelona is far from over, and his ambition to bring glory to the club is stronger than ever.
Source: SPORT
