There could only be one answer to the question, and because Dani Olmo knew her, he smiled.
A journalist from Croatia asked the Spanish attacker whether he wanted to answer in English or Croatian.
“In Croatian,” said Olmo.
Naturally.
The 23-year-old had played for Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia for five and a half years before he moved to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga in January 2020. During this time, Olmo not only turned professional, he also learned Croatian fluently. When he arrived in Zagreb at the age of 16, he didn't understand anything, not a word, but gradually things got better. Olmo took lessons, he really wanted to understand what his teammates were saying. It was similar with soccer. He was brought in for the A youth team, but six months later he was already playing for the professionals.
Croatia and Olmo were love at first kick, the Spaniard still supports charitable projects in the country today, his older brother Carlos plays for Karlovac in 1919. Olmo would be made for the role of the protagonist in this round of 16 between Spain and Croatia, but it belongs to the The creative paradox of football is that it does not bring out all the stories that it has come up with beforehand. It is very likely that he will sit on the bench when the game starts this Monday at 6 p.m. (in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship, on ZDF and MagentaTV) in Copenhagen. In the first two games he was in the starting line-up. But it didn't work. Not for Spain and not for Olmo.
The Selección won 5-0 against Slovakia, and it was above all Olmo's substitute Pablo Sarabia who showed a very good performance and also triumphed as a goalscorer. The offensive power of Paris Saint-Germain is considered set against Croatia, Olmo remains the role of the joker. His services are currently not in demand, not even as an expert. "He didn't ask me anything," said Olmo. Coach Luis Enrique was meant.
There aren't too many secrets between the two teams either. There have been frequent clashes in the recent past. For example, as part of the first edition of the Nations League or at the European Championship 2016, when the Croatians stole the group victory from the Spaniards with a 2-1. Croatia's best, former world footballer Luka Modric, has been with Real Madrid for almost a decade. Its strengths and weaknesses are well known. Defender Sime Vrsaljko also plays for Atlético in the Spanish capital. Croatians are not uncommon in the Primera División.
Dani Olmo, on the other hand, was exotic when he moved to Zagreb. He didn't come from anywhere, but from FC Barcelona. There he and, above all, his father, despite very good performances, gained the feeling over time that the club was not seriously interested in a longer cooperation. The family at Dinamo in Zagreb saw the greatest opportunity to become a professional. You shouldn't be disappointed.
Like Olmo, talented young footballers at Dinamo Zagreb make it into the professional squad again and again. This is often where things really start. Dinamo is now one of the most respected training associations in Europe, and youth work is considered exemplary. In addition to qualified coaches, the club attracts with the prospect of playing time. Croatia's league is considered at best average by international standards, ideal for young footballers who are just getting used to the transition from juniors to men.
Luka Modric and Tin Jedvaj were trained there. There are five from Dinamo in the current Croatian squad. Olmo played with goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. Livakovic is looking forward to the meeting, he and Olmo keep in touch. Another from Dinamo is Josko Gvardiol, who plays a strong tournament as a left-back. Gvardiol will move to RB Leipzig after the European Championship, where Dani Olmo's team-mate will be.
Gvardiol was worth around 20 million euros to the people of Leipzig. Transfer income of this amount is no longer uncommon for Dinamo. Marko Pjaca went to Juventus for an estimated € 23million. Only one was more expensive. Dani Olmo is Dinamo's record transfer with around 25 million euros. For this reason alone, he has his place in the club's history. In Croatia things went so well for Olmo at times that association president Davor Suker, who had once been active in the Spanish league for many years, offered the young man to play for the Croatian national team. Olmo refused. Love didn't go that far after all.