Dani Olmo insists winning the Euros with Spain is more important than the Golden Boot, ahead of Sunday’s final against England.
The RB Leipzig midfielder is level with five other players on three goals apiece in the tournament. UEFA has confirmed that it will declare all of them shared winners of the Euro 2024 Golden Boot if nobody manages to top the table on their own. Factors like more assists or penalty shootout goals will not come into affect.
Dani Olmo has been on fire throughout the European Championship. He’s found the net in every single knockout round so far, proving himself a vital cog in Spain’s title push. But personal accolades are far from his mind. Olmo’s sole focus is on helping Spain lift the trophy. His determination is clear: nothing short of victory will suffice.
Euro 2024 Golden Boot Race: What did Olmo Say?
“As long as we win, it doesn’t matter to me whether I score or [Spain goalkeeper] Unai Simon. It doesn’t matter at all, the important thing is to win the match.”
Spain’s run to the Euro 2024 final has been widely praised, particularly for their attractive brand of football. Olmo says spectators can expect to see the same flair in the title-deciding match as well.
“If it’s working, why change it, right? We’re showing a unique and personalised style of play for the national team,” the 26-year-old said.
“We’re doing well, we have our weapons and it’s clear that we always have to do different things and new things because, as the manager says, we can always improve, but we’re preparing for the final in the same way as always.
“We also suffered [like England]. The game against Germany was not easy with that extra time or France, who came close to equalising again.
“We also have those bad experiences or those that need to be improved that have made us where we are now, and we will focus on what remains to us to do the best we can.”
Dani Olmo Shining for Spain
Olmo’s performances at Euro 2024 have made him the name on everyone’s lips across Germany and beyond. His three goals and two assists have been a godsend for both him and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, who’s navigating a period of transition for La Roja.
After starting the first two matches on the bench, Olmo has exploded into life in the knockout stages. He delivered match-winning performances against both hosts Germany in the quarter-finals and Didier Deschamps’ France in the semi-finals.
Olmo’s Euro 2024 began with a slightly sluggish performance from the bench against Croatia. However, he’s since found his feet, registering a goal or assist in each of his last four outings.
Handed his first start against Albania, De la Fuente deployed Olmo in his preferred number 10 role. The midfielder repaid his manager’s trust instantly. Picking up a defence-splitting pass from Rodri in space, he swivelled and unleashed a pinpoint through-ball for Ferran Torres, who slotted home calmly.
Olmo’s versatility is a huge asset for Spain. He can be deployed anywhere in the attacking third, offering a constant threat. But what truly sets him apart is his ability to both craft and convert chances. His impressive tally of three goals at the tournament so far is a testament to this dual threat.
With Spain struggling to break down the hosts in the quarter-final against Germany, Olmo emerged as their hero. Spotting a gap in a disorganised German defence, he burst into space on the edge of the area and unleashed a perfectly placed shot beyond Manuel Neuer. The German stopper couldn’t react in time – a clinical finish under immense pressure.
France came into the tournament as one of the hot favourites, so overcoming them in the semis was a daunting ask for the exciting, but inexperienced Spanish side. Les Bleus took the lead early on, but Lamine Yamal restored parity soon with a wonder-strike. The match-winning moment, however, came from the mercurial Olmo.
Hreacted quickest to a clearance from William Saliba and cleverly switched the ball between his feet and unleashed a powerful effort that deflected past Mike Maignan. The Leipzig ace’s strike proved to be the winner, as Spain secured their place in the final.
Now, Olmo and his teammates stand on the cusp of glory, a chance to emulate the heroes of Euro 2012 and bring the trophy back to Spain after a 12-year wait. For Olmo, who thrives on the big occasion, this is the moment he’s been striving for his entire career.
