Barcelona star sets sights on Champions League glory after World Cup triumph – “Win everything” | OneFootball

FC Barcelona had eight representatives in the Spain squad that lifted the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating Argentina in the final.

Among the many Barça stars on show for La Roja, Dani Olmo arguably had the second-best tournament after Pau Cubarsi.

The Spain No. 10 played every bit like the shirt he wore, creating magic in midfield, linking up play and emerging as more than a creator between the lines.

After the World Cup, in an interview with Catalan outlet Diari de Terrassa, he has lifted the lid on Spain’s successful campaign, insisting that togetherness and belief were the foundations of their triumph.

Team spirit made the difference

Dani Olmo was a vital cog in the Spain team. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Olmo believes Spain’s greatest strength was not individual talent but the collective spirit within the squad.

“The team, the teamwork that is more important than individuals. At the level of the best national teams in the world, the differences are very small, and the fact that the national team feels like a family, from the players to the staff and administrators, gives us enormous strength,” he said.

He also pointed to Spain’s shared footballing philosophy as another decisive factor.

“From a football perspective, we are players who defend an idea and a style of play, and we all believe in what we do,” he added.

Barcelona’s goals remain unchanged

Despite achieving the biggest prize in international football, Olmo insists his ambitions at club level remain just as high.

“The goal now is the same as every season, to win everything with Barcelona and the national team,” he said.

He also welcomed Barcelona’s summer recruitment, believing stronger competition can only improve the squad.

“They are very good signings. Competition always improves the team’s performance,” he added.

Work behind the scenes is key

Olmo credited relentless dedication for his excellent physical condition after such a demanding campaign.

For someone who has been as injury-prone as the attacking midfielder throughout his career, Olmo has had a brilliant 2026 in terms of fitness.

“Work, there is no substitute for it. Hard work to achieve your goal. Work is not only physical, it also includes the training that nobody sees: nutrition, rest, recovery, mental preparation, match analysis and healthy habits,” he said.

“Training is what you do on the pitch, but real improvement depends on what you do away from everyone’s eyes,” he added.

World Cup memories and a clear response

Looking back on the tournament, Olmo admitted he never doubted Spain’s potential.

“The World Cup is the biggest sporting event anyone can experience, and I was completely convinced of our abilities. It was not just about saying we could win, it was a firm belief that we could achieve it,” the playmaker said.

Dani Olmo is looking forward to the new season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He also praised several teams that impressed him during the competition.

“Egypt surprised me, as did Cape Verde and Paraguay. I also liked Norway a lot,” he added.

Finally, Olmo responded to Roberto Ayala’s comments about their altercation in the World Cup final.

The Barcelona star found himself in the midst of a brawl with the Argentine support staff, which saw the latter throw a punch at the former.

“A person who admits a mistake and then justifies his punch by claiming it was a response to words that were never said is probably not sorry because he is lying.”

“I did not say anything to him, so I do not need an apology. What truly defines us is not the mistake itself, but the courage to admit it with humility, honesty and dignity,” he said.

It is clear that Olmo does not believe Ayala’s statement is genuine, but with the World Cup final now behind them, he will want to move on too.

The tournament in North America gave everyone the opportunity to see just how good Olmo can be, and Barcelona will hope that he can carry that form into the new season.

A fit and firing Olmo is one of the biggest joys football can offer a viewer, and it remains to be seen how he looks under Hansi Flick in the upcoming months.