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Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo did not feature in Spain’s opening match of the World Cup — a fixture that ultimately ended in a draw. However, for the second group game against Saudi Arabia, manager Luis de la Fuente handed him a start, and his inclusion made a noticeable difference in the team’s attacking rhythm.

Olmo impressed against Saudi Arabia, playing a central role in orchestrating transitions and maintaining midfield control. As the tournament progresses, his influence within the Spanish setup appears set to grow even further.

In a recent interview, Olmo reflected on his early footballing journey and the challenges he faced in reaching the top level. He recalled how leaving Barcelona for a foreign club at the age of 16 had been an emotional and difficult decision.

“I don’t know if I cried or not (laughs), but it was certainly tough. Leaving at sixteen years old for a new country and a new club is no easy thing,” he said.

“I’ve gained experience with age, but I think I’m still that same kid, with the same dreams and the same ambition and the same desire to play and win titles,” he added.

When asked what has changed in his surroundings that helped him move closer to his goals, Olmo explained, “Now I have the luck of playing for a club that competes for everything and for a national team as well. I’m still the same person, maybe a little better (laughs) and more experienced.”

He was then asked if he believed he was currently at his peak. With humility, Olmo replied, “I don’t think I’m at the peak because a person can always improve. It wasn’t easy.”

“When I left Barcelona at sixteen, my dream was to return one day. That dream came true thanks to hard work and great effort. It was never easy,” he said. “But now that I’ve returned, I don’t see the circle as closed; instead, I see a new circle beginning.”

Discussing his tactical awareness, Olmo explained how he constantly analyses the game to refine his positioning and decision-making. “When I’m off the field, I try to read the open spaces, especially those where I can position myself or attack when we have possession of the ball,” he said.

“I also watch how the team drops back and defends. I try to follow everything. This is something I trained on a lot with my father and brother since I was young,” he added.

Olmo also spoke about the influence of different coaches he has worked with in the Spanish national team. “Among the coaches who have influenced me the most tactically is Luis Enrique, as I sometimes played with him on the wing but with the freedom to move into the depth within the triangle I formed with Pedri and Jordi Alba,” he said.

“As for now with Luis de la Fuente, I play more in depth, and he gives me the freedom I need to show the best of what I have,” he added.

He recalled the difficult year following the 2021 Euros and Olympics, when both he and Pedri struggled with injuries. “It was a tough year. A long time has passed since then, but it’s an unforgettable year,” Olmo said. “We suffered injuries that kept us from doing what we love, but they were lessons that made us understand our bodies better.”

Speaking about playing alongside Pedri, Olmo noted, “Playing with Pedri is very easy. It’s true that we haven’t had much time together with the national team in recent years, but the last match showed that we’re perfectly in sync. And we’ve proven that in Barcelona too.”

Fans have often described Olmo as a humble figure, especially after he was seen cycling through the city to celebrate Barcelona’s league title. “This is how I consider myself. It happened spontaneously. I was with Inigo and Pedri and Eric, while Ferran couldn’t attend to celebrate the league title. We wanted to go see him, so we rented bikes because the streets were full,” he said.

“It was a very natural moment. We are ordinary people. I love doing everyday things like having coffee or going out for a walk,” he added.

When asked if he would do the same after potentially winning the World Cup, Olmo smiled, “I wish for that, I really do. I see myself there. And I’ll definitely motivate my teammates.”

He also reflected on the uncertain period after his return to Barcelona when his registration was under scrutiny. “They were strange and difficult moments because of the state of uncertainty,” he said. “I had complete confidence that the club would find a solution, and that’s exactly what happened. I never doubted it, but there was always a question: When would it be resolved? And yet, I was very confident in Barcelona.”

Olmo then spoke about his chemistry with Lamine Yamal, both for club and country. “We don’t talk much about that. We sometimes talk about certain shots or match details. But we understand each other just through looks,” he said.

“I’ve played with him a lot and I know what he likes and what motivates him. Not just individual one-on-one situations, but even one against two,” he added. “So I try to give him the right space, and sometimes I get closer to play a quick one-two with him or give him an extra option. I always try to support him.”

When asked whether Yamal had joked about Spain’s number 10 shirt, Olmo revealed, “Actually, he didn’t ask me for it at all. And I think I deserved this number too. I like it and I played with it in the Euros that we won. I see no reason to change it.”

He also praised Yamal’s exceptional talent. “Lamine is world-class. He proves that in training and in matches when he steps onto the pitch. You might include him in this group or not, but for me, there’s no doubt,” he said.

Asked about Barcelona target Julian Alvarez, Olmo said, “A very excellent player. World champion. He has great quality and works hard. He is a world-class player.”

When discussing what winning titles means to him, Olmo stated, “Winning titles with Barcelona and the national team. We’re a winning team that’s gone through tough experiences that helped us evolve and win the Nations League and the Euros. We’re ready for anything.”

Finally, when asked if it was time for Spain to win the World Cup again, Olmo confidently said, “Yes. It can be said that the time has come to earn the second star.”

“We have the quality we show on the pitch, and we also have the human quality. It’s an opportunity in front of us. We know we can rely on ourselves because we have the potential to go far and win,” he concluded.