A cross-field ball crashes into the net of Cárdenas’ goal. Minute 82. Silence in Vallecas, the presses, microphones and televisions stop and the phone calls and messages stop ringing. Dani Olmo He has just given, with a burst of pure rage contained after 18 days chained, the victory to his new team, the one with which he always saw himself as a winner.
It was worth the wait, as the goal from the new signing from RB Leipzig was worth more than three points for Hansi Flick’s men. It was also worth a comeback that supports a completely new project, a leadership position that scares direct rivals and A dose of non-illusory hope for a fan base with battered hopesIt was as it had to be, in the style of a board of directors that is addicted to the last minute and to miracles that are not miracles, but Dani Olmo is already a Barça fan, he himself has made his way into the club’s history with an unrepeatable performance.
It all goes back to August 9, the day that FC Barcelona made official the arrival of the exciting reinforcement that came to cover the disappointment of not signing Nico Williams. Photo, medical and signature. 55 million euros for a contract until 2030… now we have to wait.
He was seen wearing the shirt – although without playing – three days later at the Joan Gamper Trophy, a difficult performance with Monaco losing 0-3 at Montjuic. “I’m very happy to be back home, it’s a dream. We have a great team, great fans. And I have come to win“he said to his new fans, a promise he planned to keep as soon as they let him.
Time passed and the rumors did not stop growing until they became vox populi with the arrival of the first matchday of LaLiga. Barça had no salary margin For the registration of one of the most anticipated assets, it was necessary to wait.
On August 17th he travelled to Mestalla to watch the victory against Valencia from the stands. On the 24th, a week later, Athletic went to the Lluis Compayns and he had to settle for appearing in the squad with a strange asterisk over his name: “pending registration”until his name was erased by an inscription that never arrived.
Much work has been done in the club offices over several days in which, even with the departure of Gündogan and the ‘favors’ of Betis and Atlético de Madrid with the loans of Vítor Roque and Lenglet, the numbers did not add up to close Olmo’s registration.
In the end, with one of those miracles that are not miracles, a ‘long-term injury’ to Christensen allowed Olmo to get through with less than 24 hours to go. He would be available in Vallecas for a Flick who had not been able to hide his desperation nor with his imperturbable elegance displayed at every press conference.
The rest is history. A perfect story saved in the newspaper archives to be referred to whenever necessary. remember how Olmo’s second stage began at the club of his life. 45 minutes of perfect football with a goal and the MVP award to change the face of a grey and struggling Barça in Vallecas.
“Since I arrived I’ve been looking forward to the first game and what better way. We haven’t won here for many years, so it’s unbeatable,” said an emotional Olmo into the microphone on the pitch. From tension to glory, 18 days tied to a dry cry of pure class. In the end, the wait was worth it.
