Dani Olmo (foto: uradna spletna stran kluba)
RB Leipzig and Spanish national team star, Dani Olmo, has finally shed light on his decision to turn down the opportunity to play for Croatia's national team.
The revelation comes as Olmo continues to make waves in both the Bundesliga and international competitions.
In 2014, a young Dani Olmo made a surprising and audacious move. Leaving
FC Barcelona's esteemed academy, he ventured into uncharted territory by joining Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. The decision was not only a career gamble but also a personal one, as Olmo left one of the world's top football academies for a relatively unknown club. The gamble paid off, leading him to RB Leipzig and a spot on the Spanish national team.
"I wanted to be part of a sports project, and Dinamo provided that for me. Leaving Barcelona isn't easy, but my time in Croatia made me realize many things. I grew as a person, both on and off the pitch," Olmo stated in a recent interview.
Despite his success in Croatia, Olmo chose not to represent the country internationally. Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić had even considered him for the 2018 World Cup squad. "At that time, I was the best player in the Croatian First Football League, and Spain hadn't called me up. But I told them I didn't want to go. I thanked them, but my dream was always to play for Spain," Olmo elaborated.
Olmo's decision to hold out for a call from Spain has proven to be the right one. Now a regular fixture in the Spanish national team, his performances have been lauded, making him one of the rising stars in European football.
As Dani Olmo continues to impress on the global stage, his decision to choose Spain over Croatia remains a talking point. Yet, as his career trajectory shows, it's a decision that has worked in his favor, both professionally and personally.