In recent months, we have spoken face to face with Dani Olmo on two occasions (Terrassa, May 7, 1998), but always about the Spanish team. The young Barca player does not want to talk about his future or get involved with Barcelona. Maybe because he has recovered from his fears, because he has seen the movie. That “the wolf will come” and it didn’t. It was a matter of time, we have to wait for the right moment because Dani and Barça were destined. And this summer the film ended well and he returned home to fulfill a dream after winning the European Championship in Germany, his first major title. Yesterday afternoon, after going to the physio on his day off, we sat down with the recent European champion again, this time in the press room of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to talk calmly about the club of his life.
Finally, finally, we can talk about Barça.
Finally. No clichés, right?
Without clichés, really. How do you feel after wearing the Barça shirt again?
Good, happy, happy. I’m really looking forward to the start and what better start than winning in this way in Vallecas, because it’s been a few years since Barça won there in a visit, so unparalleled.
And he came out so plugged in, he clearly wanted to play for Barça again.
Did you see it? I was very motivated, I really wanted to play again with Pedri, Lamine, to be able to play with Rapha, with Robert, among others, with Jules… I was really looking forward to it and it was a great debut.
It has been a busy summer, he is in the national team, but with one eye on his future, with many options on the table, with Barça hovering over him…
In choosing I was calm, confident. So it’s true that when it was all over, more things started to be discussed, but the subject of signing and so on happened quickly. It happened quite quickly and after four or five days I was here in Barcelona. So, very happy. When Barça came this way, it was clear to me. I have other options, but my dream is back.
And why was it clear?
The only goal that the club and the coach have, the vision, the desire to win, I also have. I came here to win, I want to win titles with this shirt and I believe very much in this team, in this club. And we have the players to do it.
“Barça went here,” he said. It used to be like “the wolf is coming”, but it wasn’t until Deco convinced him. Is the Portuguese an important figure for him to be here today?
Yes, clearly. Without a doubt, the trust he gave me from the day we talked. Also with the idea that he had Flick in mind and how I fit into that idea, he convinced me. In that sense I also changed the chip there. It is true that in other summers, in other transfer seasons there has been talk, but it has not been as clear as this one.
And then comes the registration chapter. Did you know that it can take a few days?
No, I have full faith in the club and will fix it. Obviously when you’re ready to play and you can’t because of other issues, it’s not easy. But I was still calm, I took it calmly, it was something that could happen. At first we had this in mind, but in the end everything worked out. This is what matters and now we are ready for everything.
And he talks about the team. He said he wanted to join because of his ambition, to win again. Is this Barça capable of competing for titles?
I think so. I strongly believe in it. That’s why I’m here. Most of us also come from the national team, from that generation that won the Euro Cup, as well as the Nations League and other non-Spanish players, who are also top players in the world. I am fully confident that we will go there, competing for everything.
In recent years, we have criticized the story many times, that there were high expectations and the team was not up to the task. I remember that before the Euro, you told me that Spain could lift it. Only a few believed. And now he tells me that Barça can win big titles. League and Champions too?
The goal is to win. After this interview (midday) we will know the European rivals. But hey, you have to go little by little. What is clear to me is what team we have to compete with and there until the end. I am 100% convinced of that.
On a personal level, in the first game he was at a different pace. He changed the face of the team, he is one point above physically and in terms of intensity. Have you noticed the difference between the players who played in other leagues or other teams upon arriving here at Barça?
I also prepared this moment well, for its arrival. In that sense he was perfect and eager. Difference? Ultimately there will always be differences between leagues. They have different rhythms, both in the Bundesliga and in the Premier. There are always different teams. In Leipzig it is clear that they do not play in the same way as in Barça. But it is clear to me that with the characteristics or the idea with which I played in Leipzig I can help and give different things to this Barça. I personally believe that I can help them because of my entire career, because of everything I’ve been through. For all the places I’ve been and played, I think I can also contribute different things to Barça.
What different things?
Be more upright. I am a player who always tries to anticipate, making the last pass, combining with other players or shooting from a distance. So, in that sense, instead of maintaining position or calm so much, which it is clear that I can also do, I am an offensive player who always seeks to look forward.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
