Olmo responded to a Mundo Deportivo reporter: “Well… it doesn’t matter to us in the end. I think it’s also important to think about the values you want to convey to the outside. We are role models for many generations, and for many children, and I think they should also be role models in everything and for the better.”

Olmo’s calm response echoed the composure shown by other Spanish players during the tournament. It also mirrored Rodri’s recent comments about how his big World Cup comeback could serve as an inspiration for younger players.

Olmo wants Spain to set the example

Olmo, who featured in eight matches during the 2026 World Cup and faced Argentina firsthand, didn’t just focus on the Argentine players’ gesture. He emphasized that he wants Spain to be a prime example of how to treat an opponent, always with respect.

Despite Olmo’s emphasis on respect, it’s worth noting that Spain committed 21 fouls during the match against Argentina, while Argentina committed 24. However, the Spanish side didn’t receive a single yellow card, compared to the five handed out to the Argentines.

Olmo went the entire World Cup without picking up a single yellow. His two assists were among his biggest highlights of the tournament, helping anchor Spain’s run. During the final, he committed just one foul and drew two, capping off a remarkably clean performance.

Dani Olmo spoke with beIN Sports, where he showed he has no fear of France, echoing sentiments similar to Pedro Porro, and expressed total confidence that Yamal will showcase a great level. “Lamine Yamal is a player who is helping us a lot, and he is also feeling better. So, he will surely help us a lot in this next match and we hope he continues like this.” Yamal has recorded just one goal so far in the competition.

“France have had a great tournament, that is evident. But so have we,” Olmo added. “If they put them ahead of us, well, we do not care. They are one of the best national teams, that is clear, but it does not worry us. We also think that we are the best.” Olmo is already building suspense for a marquee matchup where two powerhouses will clash for a spot in the final.

Dani Olmo as a key piece

Dani Olmo started the 2026 World Cup as a substitute in the debut against Cabo Verde, but since the second match, he has become a fixture in Luis de la Fuente’s starting eleven and should organize Spain’s offensive play against France on Tuesday in the semifinals.

With a tactical system based heavily on ball possession, Olmo’s presence seems fundamental due to his ability to act as a link between the midfielders and the forwards. “He is a master of playing between the lines,” De la Fuente defined him at the start of the tournament.

At 28 years old, the Barcelona player finds himself in a great moment. Throughout his career, few have doubted his class and his ability to generate plays. Still, he has rarely enjoyed continuity due to injuries, something that has surely prevented him from gaining more international projection.

The relationship between De la Fuente and Olmo

De la Fuente did not need to see him play for Barcelona to call him up to the national team. Like other players present at the 2026 World Cup (Unai Simon, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Fabian Ruiz), Olmo was a U-19 European champion in 2019 with the current head coach on the bench.

Two years later, he called him up again for the Olympic tournament in Tokyo, where Spain won the silver medal. By then, he had already debuted with the senior team, scoring a goal just three minutes after entering the pitch in a Euro qualifying match against Malta in 2019.

He participated in Euro 2021 and the Qatar 2022 World Cup. However, his greatest successes with the red jersey have arrived with De la Fuente on the bench, winning the Nations League title in 2023, finishing as a finalist in 2025, winning the Euros in 2024, and now reaching the semifinals of the World Cup.

FC Barcelona have encountered a significant obstacle in registering star signing Dani Olmo for the remainder of the La Liga season. The club failed to meet La Liga’s registration deadline on December 31st, leaving Olmo ineligible to play for the Catalan giants.

Barcelona attributed its failure to register Olmo to a lack of funds. The club had planned to finance the signing through the sale of VIP boxes at the newly renovated Camp Nou, a revenue stream that has not materialized as expected. This shortfall left Barcelona unable to comply with La Liga’s financial fair play regulations, a crucial step in registering new players.

To rectify the situation, Barcelona has submitted an appeal to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), requesting a new license for Olmo. The club is citing “force majeure” and arguing that the unexpected delay in securing the necessary funds justifies a special exception. However, this appeal faces significant hurdles.

According to Marca, there’s no precedent on the situation. Olmo is not the only player affected, as Pau Victor isn’t listed either. However, Olmo, who is one of Spain’s most important players and cost Barcelona $60 million euros, would be a tough loss for the Catalan club.

What happens if the RFEF doesn’t let Dani Olmo register?

If the RFEF denies Barcelona’s appeal, Dani Olmo will remain unregistered for the remainder of the season. This would have severe consequences for the club, as Olmo is a key player. He would effectively become a free agent, although he remains under contract with Barcelona until 2030. Other clubs could then potentially sign him, despite the significant buyout clause in his contract.

What has Dani Olmo said?

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Dani Olmo has maintained a positive public image. He recently celebrated the New Year on social media, posting a message that read “It’s 2025 time” alongside blue and red hearts, a clear reference to FC Barcelona.

His teammate, Lamine Yamal, expressed his support for Olmo, commenting “Dani Olmo is culerrrr,” a term of endearment for Barcelona fans. This display of camaraderie highlights the positive spirit within the Barcelona squad, even amidst this challenging situation.

The situation surrounding Dani Olmo’s registration remains fluid. The outcome of Barcelona’s appeal to the RFEF will have a significant impact on the club’s ambitions for the remainder of the season and on Olmo’s immediate future.

Club icon Xavi Hernandez seems to be just one step away from taking the helm at Camp Nou and he knows he’ll have a tough job ahead of him. Barcelona have been struggling to get results and their performances on the field have left a lot to be desired.

Besides, El Blaugrana are facing a delicate financial situation that has also prevented them from building a more competitive squad in the summer. But Xavi reportedly has a shortlist of potential signings anyway, hoping that the club can make them possible.

Paul Pogba reportedly headlines Xavi’s shortlist for Barcelona

According to El Nacional, Xavi wants to land Paul Pogba at the end of the season, when his current deal with Manchester United expires. It seems unlikely he’ll extend his stay at Old Trafford, althoughit doesn’t look easy for Barca as Juventus, Real Madrid, and PSG would also go after him.

As long as he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Premier League giants, it would be feasible for Barca as they’d only have to take care of his contract and signing bonus. The other targets on Xavi’s wishlisht, on the other hand, look more complicated.

The Spanish outlet claims Erling Haaland also appears on this list, but Barca would be unable to afford his €75m release clause next summer. If they raise the funds, though, they might have a shot as his agent Mino Raiola has a good relationship with Laporta.

Dani Olmo, on the other hand, seems to have more chances of landing at Camp Nou in winter. Barcelona made a late bid to sign him on the transfer deadline day in the summer but Leipzig weren’t satisfied. Olmo, who emerged from La Masia, is understood to be looking forward to joining Barca, so it remains to be seen whether the club can place the right bid or if Leipzig accept a loan with an option to buy.

And last but not least, El Catalan also claims thatJules Kounde is part of this shortlist. However, the price tag Sevilla set for himlooks practically unaffordable, as the La Liga rivals want at least €80m. Chelsea are also interested in him after failing to materialize a deal in the last transfer window.

The La Liga giants took the soccer world by surprise as they have not been spending this summer amid a delicate economic situation, which even saw Lionel Messi leave to PSG and forced many of their players to take a pay cut.

However, it seems like Barca are keen on making a final push to boost their squad for the remainder of the season and would be interested in securing Leipzig’s star. Will they meet their demands?

Barcelona make €58 million bid for RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo

Ferran Martinez of Mundo Deportivo reported on Tuesday morning that Barcelona put an offer over the table for Spain international Dani Olmo. But Leipzig wouldn’t be willing to release him so easily.

The German sidewants €75 million for the former Barca academy player. That put the Cules in a tough spot, as they wouldn’t have the means to satisfy that asking price, which is why they tried to look for other options.

One of them was to land him on loan with an obligation to buy in 2022, and the other was to meet the asking price with add-ons, but Leipzig are unwillingto accept either of them.Mundo Deportivo’s report states they want the €75 m now, while journalist Fabrizio Romano reported Leipzig are not even considering selling Olmo.

Besides, even if they land Olmo, Barcelona would have to restructure their wage bill to comply with La Liga financial regulations. Over the last few hours, Antoine Griezmann was linked to a return to Atletico Madrid for that reason.

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