A Hidden Ace in Full View
On a sticky July evening in Munich, Luis de la Fuente’s Spain and Didier Deschamps’ France faced off in the first semi final of Euro 2024. It would be a fair assumption to make that all eyes would be on one Kylian Mbappe. With just a single penalty goal to his name, the Frenchman had struggled to find form in the tournament.
After a bone-crunching collision with an Austrian elbow in Les Bleus’ opening game, Mbappe had been left nursing a broken nose and forced to wear a protective mask à la Victor Osimhen.
The new Madrid signing complained about the mask during his media duties, claiming it impaired his vision and that he had tried and tested various alternatives to no avail. Though it had been widely reported that Mbappe was off the boil due to the limited game time afforded to him by PSG coach Luis Enrique as he edged his way out of the Parc des Princes exit door on less than positive terms.
As the sleek carbon fibre burden was left behind for this semi final, French supporters (Deschamps included) hoped that the real Kylian Mbappe would stand up. However, much to their chagrin, it was the Spanish stars who shone that night. La Roja turned on the style after initially going behind to a clinical Randal Kolo Muani header, cruising into a 2-1 lead and booking a place in the Euro 24 final.
Young wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal stole the show. The latter brought his country level with a beautiful left-footed strike that curled from outside the box and into the top left corner of Mike Maignan’s net. Not a bad goal to claim the title of youngest player to score in a European Championship.
In a Spanish team brimming with talent, PSG’s Fabian Ruiz did a commendable job of marshalling the midfield alongside Rodri. The familiar frontman Alvaro Morata performed an under-the-radar role and took a few knocks for his troubles. But it was Dani Olmo who emerged as the true unsung hero for Spain during this match and this tournament.
The Guardian summed up the moment when the RB Leipzig man produced the goal that sent Spain to the Olympiastadion: “Olmo doesn’t exactly know what he wants to do with it. All he knows is that he wants the ball. Brilliant feet, brilliant determination and an emphatic finish that clipped the heels of Jules Koundé on the way in.”
Dani Olmo has consistently demonstrated his worth, yet he often flies under the radar. He only got his opportunity to start when Barcelona midfielder Pedri was injured by a robust tackle from former El Clásico rival Toni Kroos during the very last game of his professional football career. Olmo’s chances may have been limited further if Pedri’s Blaugrana teammate Gavi had two functioning anterior cruciate ligaments.
The offbeat story of Dani Olmo’s journey and his unique playing style set him apart from his contemporaries, who tend to follow a well-trodden path.
Born in the city of Terrassa, just 12 miles from Barcelona, Olmo's footballing roots are firmly planted in Catalan soil. He joined FC Barcelona's storied La Masia academy from Espanyol at the tender age of seven.
Despite a prolific scoring record at youth level, Olmo made the bold decision to leave home in 2014, seeking first-team opportunities on the Balkan Peninsula. An unconventional move which proved pivotal in shaping his promising career.
With Dinamo Zagreb, Olmo quickly showed FCB what they were missing. He became a senior team regular at just 16, and by 2019, he was Croatia's Player of the Year.
His success in the Croatian capital laid the foundation for his move to Julian Nagelsmann’s RB Leipzig in 2020, where he continues to excel today. Olmo memorably bagged a hat-trick against German champions Bayern Munich in the 2023 DFL-Supercup, securing a trophy for his club.
Olmo's playing style is intriguingly un-Spanish. While Spain in the modern era is known for the tiki-taka philosophy championed by Pep Guardiola and Vincente del Bosque, Olmo's approach is more direct. He credits his Croatian footballing education for his blend of technical prowess and an incisive drive towards goal.
This unorthodox but potent skill set has been on full display at Euro 24 with Olmo instrumental in the quarter final against hosts Germany, where he scored and assisted in a last gasp extra-time victory. His ability to find and exploit what little space the Germans left free, coupled with a flair for the spectacular, made him a standout performer and earnt him a player of the match trophy.
Despite his obvious ability, Olmo often remains overshadowed by his more illustrious teammates. Yet his impact on the pitch is undeniable. As Leipzig coach Marco Rose noted after their Supercup triumph, Olmo not only excels individually but also drives his team forward and helps to nurture younger players.
Dani Olmo's decision to leave Barça for pastures new, his seamless switch to life in the Bundesliga and now his pivotal role in an impressive major tournament team underscore his exceptional journey. For Spain, he is a crucial, if often overlooked, ace in the pack.