Dani Olmo about meeting his childhood idol Lionel Messi in the World Cup final:

According to Sports.

Why is this important

The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is of great importance for both teams, as victory will bring not only the trophy, but also the status of world champion. Spain, back in the finals after 2010, are keen to reaffirm their ambitions on the international stage, while Argentina, the defending champions, want to defend their title. In this context, Dani Olmo's performance could be key to La Roja's success.

Key takeaways

• Dani Olmo about meeting his childhood idol Lionel Messi in the World Cup final:
• Dani Olmo expresses confidence in Spain's chances against Argentina in the World Cup final, highlighting the team's strong performance and his motivation to play against his idol, Lionel Messi.
• Dani Olmo reacts to facing childhood idol Lionel Messi in World Cup final: ‘Playing against him gives you extra motivati.

Spain midfielder Dani Olmo is confident his team has every reason to hope to beat Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. He stresses that the team's confidence is based on results rather than mere optimism. With Spain just one step away from becoming world champions, Olmo believes Luis de la Fuente's side have the right to see themselves as favorites despite facing Lionel Messi and the defending champions.

In a wide-ranging interview with Mundo Deportivo, Olmo discussed Spain's form, the challenge Argentina poses, his role in the team and his dream of lifting the most prestigious trophy in football. Olmo was one of Spain's most influential players throughout the tournament, operating from midfield to attack, and helped La Roja reach the final for the first time since 2010.

Speaking about his performances at the tournament, the Barcelona midfielder said: “I feel great, very confident and comfortable in these positions. In addition, the team plays spectacular football. This is obvious. We players feel it and it rubs off on each other; we feed off each other’s energy and it makes us better, helps us compete better and ultimately win – which is the goal.”

The Spanish players have repeatedly emphasized their confidence throughout the tournament, and Olmo made it clear that this confidence has not changed ahead of the most important match of the tournament. “There is one small step left.The most recent one. It won't be easy. Argentina is a great team with great players, but we got to this point on our own. We are absolutely confident in our chances, in our football, in our quality and in what we can do - and we know we can do it.”


When Olmo was asked if he could become Spain's version of Andres Iniesta by scoring the decisive goal in the World Cup final, he replied: “There's only one Andres Iniesta. I imagine myself as Dani Olmo 2026. I would like it, but to be honest, I don't think about it. The main thing is that we win and I end up in the photo lifting the trophy with the team. But if I can score and keep this memory for life, then I would really like it.”

The conversation also touched on Messi, who remains the biggest obstacle between Spain and the World Cup trophy. Olmo acknowledged the Argentine captain's form, saying: "Messi is playing great football at the World Cup. There is no doubt about the kind of player he was and the kind of player he is. He's a player to be reckoned with and we played against him the same way we played against everyone else." He also recalled a photo from his childhood that recently surfaced of him watching a match involving Messi. “It's at the stadium in Castelldefels, yes. My dad used to coach there.What a twist of fate that we ended up facing each other in the World Cup final.”

Despite Messi being one of his football idols as a child, Olmo insists sentiment will not matter when the final begins. “No, we didn't really talk about it [the shirt swap with Messi] much, to be honest. Just getting to the World Cup final is incredible in itself. Playing against Messi may or may not provide extra motivation, but in the end it doesn't matter. We need to beat the best in the world. Messi is one of them and we got to play against him in the final. So we're going to win."

Olmo also revealed that members of Spain's 2010 World Cup winning team have already shared words of encouragement with the current squad. Recalling a recent meeting with Carles Puyol, he said: “We ran into Carles Puyol when he was filming a program on television. We interrupted Eric Garcia for a moment to take a photo and he told us to enjoy the moment and move forward."

What happens next

After the 2026 World Cup final, teams will be focused on preparing for new challenges, including qualifying matches for the next tournament. Spain, if they win, will be looking to maintain their squad and develop young players like Olmo for future success. Argentina, in turn, will work to maintain its competitiveness and prepare for the next stage of the international football calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spain's current form ahead of the 2026 World Cup final?

The Spanish team is confident in their abilities and plays spectacular football, which confirms their confidence ahead of the final.

Are there any injuries or missing players in the Spanish national team?

The article does not mention injuries or missing players from the Spanish team before the final.

What are the stakes for Spain vs Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final?

The match is the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Spain's ambitions to become world champions make it extremely important.

How does Dani Olmo assess his role in the team before the final?

Dani Olmo feels confident and comfortable in his positions, emphasizing his importance in the team's attacking actions.

How are Spain preparing for the meeting with Lionel Messi?

Spain consider themselves favorites, despite facing Lionel Messi and the defending champions, and are confident in their chances of winning.

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