Dani Olmo talks Yamal, La Masia, Deco, Barcelona return – ‘Coming back like this is special’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s new signing, Dani Olmo, has expressed his strong desire to make a significant impact at the club.

In his first interview since returning to the club, which he gave to ‘Barça One,’ Olmo made it clear that he is determined to succeed.

This marks a significant moment, as it’s been a decade since he left the Blaugrana as a young cadet.

The excitement in his voice was unmistakable as he discussed the new chapter in his football career, describing himself as an “ambitious person” who is driven to win above all else.

“I always want to win, I don’t want to lose even at marbles. This is what I want to do at Barça. Barça is my home. I have all my family and friends here,” said the forward as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“Coming back like this is special.  It was a dream for me to come back home. The club has fought to make it a reality and there was no other way to do it.

“There were other options, but when Barça appeared with this desire and initiative I didn’t think twice.

“Coming back home, with my family and friends, was a dream,” said Dani Olmo , who pointed out that “I have grown by being away from home”, but also stated that he maintains.”

Olmo is eager to get started

Dani Olmo is ready to step up for Barcelona. (Photo courtesy: FC Barcelona official website)

Olmo’s ambition and passion for the game are evident. He emphasised his readiness to contribute to the team’s success and his eagerness to immerse himself fully in Barcelona’s culture and philosophy.

For him, this isn’t just a return to a club he once knew but an opportunity to achieve greatness on a stage that has seen some of the finest football talents in history.

During the interview, Olmo also touched on the process leading up to his signing. He admitted that he didn’t have a chance to speak directly with Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, before finalizing the deal.

However, he did have in-depth “talks with Deco in which he told me about the coach and the staff’s desire to bring me here”. This reassured Olmo and made him even more determined to seize the opportunity presented to him.

“Being able to play with all of them at the club was a goal and everything makes it easier.

“Being able to play with them at the Spotify Camp Nou and also with other players like Frenkie, Lewandowski and Ronald… we have a great team and we hope to give the fans a lot of joy,” he added.

Reunited with national team players

Dani Olmo feels at home at Barcelona. (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images)

A particularly poignant moment in the interview was when Olmo expressed his excitement about reuniting with his Spanish teammates on the pitch.

“I am very motivated by everything that remains to come and we are going for it.”

Reflecting on his football journey, Olmo recalled his early days at Barcelona’s youth academy. He mentioned that back then, he was primarily used as a ‘9’, a central forward role. However, as he developed as a player, his versatility increased.

“The work, the idea, the philosophy and everything that Barça transmits is reflected in La Masia.

“The values ​​that they transmit are seen at each stage and they are improving by leaps and bounds. When I was there there were many players, but now there are many more who have been able to reach the first team competing at this level,” he said.

One aspect of Olmo’s game that has particularly excited Barcelona supporters is the potential for him to rekindle the connection he had with Lamine Yamal during the Euros.

The chemistry between the two players was electric, and fans are eager to see them recreate that magic.

Olmo did not shy away from praising Yamal, acknowledging the young winger’s immense talent and expressing his enthusiasm for playing alongside him once more.

“He’s an innate talent. He’s a very good person, very healthy in the locker room and I hope he gives us a lot of joy. I get along very well with him and it will be a good connection,” he concluded.