Man City Target Dani Olmo Recalls Awkward Childhood Photo with Lionel Messi
Manchester City transfer target Dani Olmo, who recently scored Spain’s opening goal in their 2-1 win over Germany and set up their extra-time winner, has revealed an amusing story from his youth involving Lionel Messi. The Premier League champions are reportedly considering activating Olmo’s €60 million (£50.7m) release clause at RB Leipzig.
In an interview with The Players’ Tribune, Olmo recounted an incident from his childhood when he tried to refuse a photo with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. At the time, Olmo was playing at Castelldefels, where his father was managing a football game. This was before Olmo joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy in 2007.
“I was eight years old, playing happily by myself with a ball,” Olmo said. “Someone—maybe a friend of my dad’s—came over and told me, ‘Hey, Dani, come here! You’re not going to believe this. You’re going to have your picture taken with Lionel Messi!'”
Despite the excitement that usually surrounds meeting Messi, young Olmo was more focused on his game. “I was like, ‘No, thanks. I’m good. I want to keep playing! It’s just a picture, right?’ But, against my will, they stuck me next to Messi and took the picture. I didn’t even say anything to him. I just waited for the click and then I went back to my ball, like I was doing him a favor.”
Olmo jokingly added that he now appreciates having the photo: “In the end, I have to say I’m glad they forced me, because I’ve still got that picture framed at home. At the time though, I wasn’t happy to have my valuable playing time interrupted — even by an icon.”
After leaving Barcelona in 2014 without making a first-team appearance, Olmo joined Dinamo Zagreb, where he quickly became a key player. In January 2020, he moved to RB Leipzig despite interest from Barcelona and has since become a standout performer, attracting attention from Manchester City.
Sky Sports reports that while City have yet to make “concrete contact” with Olmo, the player is keen on a move to England. With his impressive performances at Euro 2024, Olmo’s stock continues to rise, making him a hot prospect for the Premier League champions.
