Olmo hails Rodri’s impact at Barcelona: ‘We didn’t have a player with that profile’ | OneFootball

A large contingent of Barcelona players are currently part of the Spain camp as La Roja gear up for the upcoming matches in the UEFA Nations League.

During the lead-up to Saturday’s clash against England, a prominent topic has been Lamine Yamal and his bid for the Ballon d’Or, with several teammates, including Alex Baena, endorsing the youngster to win the award.

But apart from the Yamal topic, Dani Olmo recently did an interview, where he spoke about other topics, including Spain’s World Cup win in the summer as well as Barcelona’s electric start to the season.

Olmo on Rodri’s impact

The Barcelona forward was asked what Rodri has added to the team since his summer arrival, and Olmo was quick to highlight the midfielder’s influence.

“I don’t think much has changed, but Rodri is a player who gives you something different, that experience, the positional play, and that balance that he’s always given us in the national team and that he also gives to his club,” Olmo said (h/t RNE).

“And he has that personality that perhaps we didn’t have a player with that profile before, so I think Rodri will help us a lot, and he’s already doing that, and he’s a player who will add a lot to us in order to win all the titles.”

Olmo has praised Rodri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Olmo was also quizzed on the controversy surrounding Rodri, when the midfielder was filmed making unfortunate remarks against Valencia before apologising. The forward played the matter down.

“I think Rodri already said what he needed to say; they were unfortunate words, and he himself expressed that, and that was the end of it,” Olmo explained.

“In the end, we have to be aware that eyes will always be on us, and we need to be careful on this front regarding what we say and what we don’t say, because in the end, we’re considered a role model for everyone.”

On the season start and the derby

Olmo was delighted with both his own form and Barcelona’s flying start to the campaign.

“Very well, really well. I feel like I’m in very good shape and very comfortable, with good feelings. We’ve all come back really well after the World Cup, refreshed, and we’ve had a few days of rest,” he said.

“I think the team is at a very high level, and we’re proving that, seven wins out of seven in the league, and also the win in the Champions League. That’s what we want to keep doing after the break, to keep on winning.”

Asked about the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s derby defeat and whether he felt they had been treated unfairly, Olmo refused to comment much.

“Nothing special, in the end, controversial moments will always happen in football matches, and I just see it as a fan,” he said.

“But nothing more than that, we’re focusing on ourselves and on continuing to win, which is the only thing we can do.

“I think with us there wasn’t much fuss because we’re winning, and that’s the only thing that matters to us, winning, and we talk inside the field,” he added.

On winning the World Cup

Olmo played a key role in Spain’s World Cup triumph. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Finally, Olmo reflected on Spain’s World Cup triumph, adding that the memory will stay strong with him and the team.

“What we’ve achieved is something huge, and we must appreciate it, and we already do appreciate it, because it’s impossible not to appreciate something like this,” he said.

“I think we’re still not fully aware of the magnitude of what we’ve achieved, and it’s something we’ll appreciate even more as time goes by, and these are memories that will stay with us for life.”

He concluded by sharing an anecdote about his father.

“My father is one of the people who always reminds me that I’m a world champion. Sometimes on an ordinary day, he’ll say to me, ‘Good morning, world champion,’ and I’ll say to him, ‘Good morning, Dad,’ he concluded.