I Don’t Care If I Score Or If Our Keeper Does – Says Spain’s Dani Olmo

Spain playmaker, Dani Olmo is in contention for the EURO 2024 Golden Boot alongside England’s Harry Kane. However, he expressed on Friday that his focus lies on his team winning the tournament rather than on individual accolades.

Olmo and Kane are tied on three goals with four other players and if either score in the final on Sunday in Berlin they will likely claim the prize.

As Spain aims to clinch an unprecedented fourth European Championship title, Olmo emphasized that the team’s objective holds greater significance than any personal achievements he may accumulate.

“It’s an extra motivation if there’s even room for that, but look, as long as we win, I don’t care if I score or if (Spain goalkeeper) Unai Simon does,” Olmo told reporters.

“I don’t care at all, the important thing is winning the game, but I always have the objective of helping to chip in.”

Olmo has also created two goals for his teammates but unlike in the past when that was used as a tie-breaker, the award will be shared by any player on top of the charts.

Although the RB Leipzig midfielder was not initially included in Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s preferred starting lineup at the beginning of the tournament, he showcased his talent and made a significant contribution as a substitute

In the quarter-final victory against hosts Germany, Olmo came on as a substitute for the injured Pedri, scoring a goal and providing an assist for Mikel Merino’s winning goal.

The midfielder also scored against France in the semi-final and has scored in all three knock-out rounds Spain has played.

“In this tournament, I feel very good, in a great moment of form, so I have to keep taking advantage of it,” he continued.

“It’s true (Kane and I) are tied, but there are other players too who have helped us get here, with goals and good play.

“Speaking of goals, Fabian (Ruiz) has two goals, Alvaro (Morata) has one – if he scores a hat-trick then he will win it, and we’d be just as happy – it doesn’t matter who scores, the main thing is the team.”

In the German Supercup final last August, Olmo netted a hat-trick for Leipzig in a 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Kane’s debut for the Bavarian giants last August.

Despite scoring three goals, Kane has continued to face challenges in finding top form and peak fitness at the Euros. The England captain has yet to secure a trophy at either club or international level, having been a runner-up with England in the Euro 2020 final.

“Of course, it would be a dream to score a hat-trick (again) and win it,” added Olmo.

“But I repeat, the goal is just to win it.”

The hard way

Olmo said that doing things the hard way was the perfect motivation for a competitive group of players.

“We’ve had to go through the hard road and should be proud of how we got here. The style of game we are playing is what got us here,” he said.

“We are feeling really good and charged-up, well prepared, physically and mentally at our best. We know we have a unique opportunity on Sunday. We are super motivated for the game to come.

“All we are thinking now is about the final. Ninety minutes away from glory, from being able to win a European Championship twelve years later (after last triumph in Euro 2012). Our motivation is at its peak… Can’t wait!”

Olmo acknowledged that England’s path was also tough and that their opponents had shown a fighting spirit throughout the tournament that deserved respect.

However, he didn’t think that Spain needed to alter their attacking style for Sunday’s clash.

“If it’s working, why change? We are playing with a unique and personalized idea, it’s what we are as a team. We can always do new things and improve, as the coach says, but the idea will be the same,” Olmo said.

“England are a team that has shown that they never give up… But we have suffered too. Against Germany, winning in extra time… against France, it wasn’t easy…

“It’s true that we played well. But we’ve just lost a European Championship semi-final four years ago. We had that bad experience and learned how to improve. We are not concerned about the road they have traveled. We focus on our own.

“For me, the two best teams are the ones that go through to the final. We will try to focus on ourselves and do our best.”