Dani Olmo's Injury Halves Barça's Clasico Hopes: When Return Is Finally in Sight

Update on Dani Olmo's Injury

A Spanish sports daily revealed today that Dani Olmo will miss several matches after an injury picked up with Spain, casting a shadow over Barcelona's upcoming fixtures.

Olmo left the Spain camp last Friday after tests showed an injury in his left calf.

He underwent medical checks in Barcelona on Monday morning, with the club stating the injury concerns the left soleus muscle and emphasizing that the duration of his absence will depend on how quickly he progresses.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Olmo's absence is expected to last between two and three weeks.

The report adds that Olmo will not be available for the trip to Girona next Saturday in La Liga, nor for the clash with Olympiacos in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

After those fixtures, the most likely scenario is that Olmo will miss the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 26 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

There is a chance he could be back in time for Barcelona's match against Elche on November 2, before facing Club Brugge in the Champions League on November 5.

Barça coach Hans Flick remains cautious, with about 13 days separating the club from the Clasico showdown.

Even though early diagnoses offer hope for a return, the club will not risk him unless he is fully fit, and the coming days will determine his exact participation in the big clash.

Olmo's Promising Journey and the Return Timeline

Olmo's career has been bright from the start. He began at Espanyol's academy before moving to Barcelona's famous La Masia at nine, and in 2014, at sixteen, left Barça to join Dinamo Zagreb, a decision that proved pivotal.

In Croatia he quickly established himself, breaking into the first team early, winning domestic league and cup titles, and earning the Croatian League's best player award in 2018.

In 2020 he joined RB Leipzig for around 22 million euros, stepping into Europe’s top leagues.

With Leipzig he developed tactically under Julian Nagelsmann, becoming a regular and helping the side reach the Champions League semifinals and win the German Cup in 2022.

Known for his tactical flexibility to operate as a winger or an attacking midfielder, Olmo also possesses a powerful shot and precise distribution.

His form with Leipzig earned him a Spain call-up in 2019, and he quickly became a fixture for La Roja, contributing at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

In the summer of 2024 he returned to La Liga with Barcelona, reuniting with his La Masia roots.

Despite a positive start, injuries and a dip in form interrupted his early spell, but he remains one of Spain’s most gifted talents, with Barça fans hoping he regains his sparkle in the seasons to come.

A headline moment arrived with news on Lamine Yamal's potential return. Barça, meanwhile, are in cautious wait-and-see mode as Yamal recovers from a groin-related issue, with progress reported as steady.

AS reports that Yamal could obtain medical clearance on Saturday if no setback, potentially joining Girona in the La Liga clash.

The plan is to bring Yamal back gradually, perhaps featuring a few minutes against Girona to prep for Olympiakos in the Champions League, where he may start but is unlikely to play 90 minutes.

The coaching staff believes a measured reintegration is the safest path to avoid another setback.

Recent weeks have seen Yamal respond well to the club’s rehabilitation program, which includes physiotherapy and targeted strength work, with a likely return to full training next Wednesday for a pivotal test.

The aim is to have Yamal in peak shape for the Clasico against Real Madrid, with time to build match fitness before the key European fixtures.

Note: And if Olmo returns just in time, expect him to celebrate with his favorite goal celebration—clutching at his calf and thanking the injury for keeping him grounded. Punchline 1: Even a calf strain can’t stop a player from sprinting to the fridge after a win. Punchline 2: If fitness tests were jokes, Olmo would be the one who actually passes with flying colors—and a straight line to the coffee machine after.