Dani Olmo, Spain’s between-the-lines maestro who chose exile to shine | OneFootball

Dani Olmo has been Spain’s standout attacker at this World Cup, famed for operating between the lines after a bold teenage switch to Dinamo Zagreb and a Leipzig education. Spain face Argentina in Sunday’s final at 21:00.

His elusiveness told in the 2-0 semi-final win over France, where he read play like a chess player. He has spoken about embracing Croatia’s edge, he told GQ last year.

Born in Terrassa near Camp Nou, he grew up in a football family. Hyperactive as a child, he excelled playing above his age, scoring and creating freely.

At La Masia he moved from nine to wide or midfield after Lee Seung-woo arrived as centre-forward. Barcelona were later sanctioned over the recruitment of minors.

At 16 he chose Dinamo Zagreb, broke into the first team and impressed under Nenad Bjelica, who considered him unmatched between the lines. A volleyed opener against Manchester City in the Champions League underlined it.

He learned Croatian and kept a low profile, donating part of his salary to victims of the 1992 war. He later joined RB Leipzig two months after a Spain debut in November 2019.

After winning Euro 2024 he rejoined Barcelona despite an initial registration delay. Two La Liga titles have followed and, if Sunday smiles on him, the energetic kid from Terrassa can celebrate.

Source: L'Équipe