Dani Olmo's participation in the 2026 World Cup started from the bench against Cape Verde, but he quickly became an indispensable pillar in Luis de la Fuente's lineup, and is expected to lead the Spanish attack in the semi-final against France on Tuesday.

Olmo stands out for his unique ability to link midfield and attack, making him a crucial element in Spain's possession-based style.

With a style based on ball possession, Olmo's involvement seems essential, thanks to his ability to link midfield and attack.

De la Fuente said at the start of the tournament: 'He is a master at playing between the lines.'

The 28-year-old Barcelona star is currently experiencing the best stage of his career. Despite consensus on his talent and playmaking abilities, he has rarely enjoyed consistency due to injuries, which may have prevented a broader international presence.

Olmo said before the Belgium match: 'My life and career have been like this, I always have to prove who I am, but that's not a problem, it's a challenge I set for myself, to prove it again, as I have always done,' adding that, unlike his teammates, he had to emigrate outside Spain as a teenager to build his football future.

Olmo... formed at La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, but in 2014, at age 16, he decided to leave for a different experience (Reuters)

Emigration for success

Olmo grew up in the La Masia academy in Barcelona, but left in 2014 at age 16 due to limited opportunities in the first team, which was brimming with the likes of Iniesta and Xavi.

But instead of moving to another big club in the continent, he and his family chose to go to Dinamo Zagreb, a club with a good reputation for developing young talents (Luka Modric, for example, came through there), but far from the spotlight of major leagues.

Olmo previously said: 'In Croatia, the culture was different, and I learned a lot physically.'

He added: 'In Spain, the focus was more on the ball, especially at Barcelona (...) but Croatia benefited me a lot. I was 16 years old, and I was training with national team players who had played in the World Cup. It was a big step for me. It made me develop physically and mentally because the game was faster.'

And in Zagreb, his name began to stand out, before moving to Leipzig where he honed his talent in the German Bundesliga, until he returned to Barcelona exactly two years ago.

He is considered a key element in German coach Hansi Flick's team due to his ability to play between the lines and create space for his teammates, in addition to his goal contributions: 20 goals and 17 assists in 88 matches for the Catalan club.

Olmo returned to Barcelona after establishing himself as a prominent star (AFP)

With de la Fuente in the youth categories

De la Fuente did not need to see him at Barcelona to call him up to the national team. As is the case with several 2026 World Cup players (Unai Simón, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Fabián Ruiz), Olmo was crowned European Under-19 champion in 2019 under his leadership.

Two years later, he called him up again for the Tokyo Olympics, where Spain won the silver medal, despite the fact that he had already made his senior international debut and scored a goal just 3 minutes after coming on the pitch in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Malta in 2019.

He participated in Euro 2021 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but his most notable achievements with 'La Roja' came under de la Fuente, as he won the UEFA Nations League in 2023, was runner-up in 2025, also won Euro 2024, and now has reached the semi-finals of the North American World Cup.

De la Fuente values Olmo's dynamism in attacking play, his ability to make a difference, and his effort in pressing.

The number 10 of the red national team said before the quarter-final against Belgium: 'We are a team that attacks together and defends together. The coach says the first defender is the striker, and the rest follow him.'

Olmo's path to brilliance was not easy; after leaving Barcelona at the age of sixteen, he had a different experience at Dinamo Zagreb where he developed his physical and tactical abilities. Despite injuries that hindered his consistency, he continued to prove his worth with his outstanding talent. His story remains an inspiration for young players who are forced to emigrate in search of opportunities for success.