Dani Olmo’s Quiet Storm: Is Barcelona’s Creativity Fading with a Star in Tides of Injury
6 October 2025
Olmo's struggle to reclaim his spark
Barcelona’s Spanish winger Dani Olmo is enduring a clear downturn this season, failing to regain his shine or deliver the creative thrust expected from a player intended to be a key piece in Hansi Flick’s setup.
Despite the coach’s continued faith, the performances have left the attack short of the impact it needs, and fans are hopeful for a swift return to his best form.
According to the Spanish daily AS, Olmo is not yet reaching full technical or physical readiness, looking distant from his peak levels this term.
In the latest matchup against Sevilla, Olmo produced another subdued display, continuing a run of matches where his influence in the final third has been limited, even though he often lines up behind the striker as a vital link in the attacking phase.
Yet Flick remains convinced of Olmo’s intelligence and his knack for weaving between lines, seeing him as a player with a clear vision for build-up and with important attributes such as powerful shooting and the ability to score and create chances.
In the post-match analysis, Olmo stressed the need for more minutes to regain rhythm, highlighting how crucial game time is to finding back his natural tempo.
Numbers underscore the slump: just one goal and two decisive passes so far this season, a modest return for a player of his caliber and versatility.
As the downturn persists, Barcelona faces a pressing task to see Olmo back at his renowned level to justify Flick’s confidence and restore balance to a floundering attack.
A career arc that shaped his journey
Olmo’s journey began at Espanyol’s academy before joining Barcelona’s famed La Masia at nine. At sixteen he left Barça for Dinamo Zagreb, a bold move that proved pivotal in his development and leadership of the Croatian side, where he claimed domestic successes and earned the league’s best player award in 2018.
In 2020, he moved to RB Leipzig for about €22 million, embarking on a new chapter in the Bundesliga under renowned coaches and a demanding tactical system. There, he evolved into a versatile attacker, capable of playing as a winger or a playmaker, contributing to the team’s deep European runs and domestic triumphs like the German Cup in 2022.
His reputation grew internationally, earning a Spain call-up in 2019 and cementing his place in the national squad’s plans for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup. In summer 2024, Olmo returned to La Liga with Barcelona, a homecoming many expected would rekindle his peak years.
Initially, the return looked promising, but injury setbacks and a dip in physical Conditioning slowed his momentum, leaving Barcelona eager for Olmo to reclaim the dynamic, balance-creating role that once made him a central figure in their build-up play.
Despite the lull, Olmo remains among Spain’s brightest talents, with Barça’s supporters hoping his resurgence will unlock the team’s offensive potential in the seasons ahead.
Punchline time: if Olmo’s form were a sniper, you’d still hear the crowd from the cheap seats arguing about whether the bullet hit the net or the post. Punchline two: Barca’s attack is like a new app—loads of features, just need Olmo to reboot and push the right update notes to the goal screen.
