20 Dani Olmo

Born on May 7, 1998, in Terrassa, Catalonia, Dani Olmo’s football journey began in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, where he honed his skills from the age of nine. Before joining Barcelona, he played for Espanyol, showcasing his natural attacking flair from an early age.

A Bold Move to Dinamo Zagreb

In 2014, at just 16, Olmo made the surprising decision to join Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb. His professional debut came on February 7, 2015, as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Lokomotiva Zagreb. That same year, he scored his first goal in a dominant 7–1 victory in the Croatian Cup.

Over the next five seasons, Olmo established himself as one of Dinamo’s most crucial players. In the 2018–19 season, he won multiple accolades, including the Prva HNL’s Best Player and Best Young Player awards. His performances in the UEFA Europa League and Champions League put him on the radar of top European clubs, culminating in his move to RB Leipzig in January 2020.

Rise to Stardom at RB Leipzig

Olmo’s debut for RB Leipzig came in a 2–2 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach, and his first goal followed soon after in the DFB-Pokal. During his time in Germany, he became a vital playmaker, helping Leipzig reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2020.

His trophy collection grew as Leipzig won back-to-back DFB-Pokal titles in 2022 and 2023. A defining moment of his Leipzig career came in the 2023 DFL-Supercup, where he scored a stunning hat-trick against Bayern Munich, securing a 3–0 victory.

A Triumphant Return to Barcelona

In August 2024, Olmo made his long-awaited return to Barcelona in a €60 million transfer. Despite initial registration issues due to the club’s financial constraints, he made an immediate impact upon his debut, scoring the winning goal against Rayo Vallecano.

His prolific start continued, with goals against Espanyol and Brest in the Champions League. After a brief registration delay, Olmo was officially cleared to represent Barcelona across all competitions, including the La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey.

International Glory with Spain

Olmo’s international career began with Spain’s youth teams, where he starred in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, scoring in the final and winning Man of the Match.

His senior debut came in 2019, where he scored just three minutes after coming on. He played a pivotal role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2020 campaign and helped secure a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he made history by scoring Spain’s first goal in a 7–0 demolition of Costa Rica.

The pinnacle of his international career came at Euro 2024, where he emerged as Spain’s hero. He scored in the knockout rounds against Georgia, Germany, and France, playing a crucial role in Spain’s title-winning campaign. In the final against England, his defensive contribution, including a goal-line clearance, was vital in Spain’s 2–1 triumph. With three goals in the tournament, Olmo secured the Golden Boot in a historic six-way tie.

Personal Life 

Football runs in Olmo’s blood—his father, Miquel, was a former forward, and his brother Carlos also played professionally. Known for his intelligence on and off the pitch, Olmo is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, German, and Croatian.