‘I’ve had the bad luck‘ — Barcelona midfield star talks about persistent injury troubles | OneFootball

FC Barcelona midfield star Dani Olmo may not have had the greatest start to the 2025/26 season. The Spaniard showed promising signs in an unfamiliar role at the base of midfield in the recent game against Celta Vigo.

Marc Casado pulled out just before kick-off and, with no other realistic option, Hansi Flick played Olmo in a deeper role alongside Frenkie de Jong, and he held his own. The 27-year-old is returning from an injury that kept him out for two weeks and is now with Spain on international duty.

When asked about his persistent injury issues, Olmo said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo:

“Well, there’s a plan, obviously. I’ve had the bad luck of experiencing some problems in my career, and I know my body very well—I know what I need. I try to work both on and off the pitch, in the gym, to prevent these types of issues as much as possible. But in the end, it’s football: you can’t control everything 100%, although I give my all to always be available.”

Olmo was then asked about his preparation and the attention he pays to his diet and training. He said:

“Yes, all of that is the work that isn’t seen, the work off the pitch. It’s something I believe in. You have to work hard on the pitch, but also off it, because it has an impact. Recovery is important: nutrition, sleep, rest… It’s something where I try to demand almost perfection from myself. I feel good, I try to do it, and I try to always be prepared.”

The Spaniard also revealed whether he wears a sleep ring. He continued:

“I do, for sleeping.”

Olmo was then asked whether this physical focus has affected him mentally during games. He said:

“Look, when you’re injured, it’s not pleasant for any player. It’s something I insist on a lot now, especially in this stage at Barça, where I’ve had quite a few problems—more than in my whole career. It’s something I’ve tried to focus on, that invisible work you don’t see. At Barça, there’s a lot of media, a lot of people talking, but that doesn’t worry me. I know what I have to do and what works for me. I’m constantly learning, and I’m completely sure that what I’m doing will be good for me in the future.”

Olmo may not have hit the heights expected of him in his Barcelona career so far, but if he can put his injury issues behind him, he is too talented a player not to come good. The good thing is that Hansi Flick trusts him.

Let us hope the 27-year-old can rediscover his best level sooner rather than later. It would only make Barcelona more potent in attack, and we will have to wait and see how things play out.