The Physical Ordeal That Won’t Let Up

Dani Olmo is back in the headlines, but not for his goals or assists. The Barcelona midfielder has suffered a calf muscle injury while on duty with the Spanish national team and is expected to be out for around a month. With this setback, the La Masia graduate has now endured 11 injuries in the past five years, a worrying trend that raises doubts about his ability to remain at the top level.

Since returning to the club in 2024, Olmo has barely managed to stay consistent. His quality is undeniable, but injuries have repeatedly halted his progress. So far this season, he has already missed several games due to various muscular issues, and last season he was sidelined for 17 matches.

A Troubling Record: 11 Injuries in Five Years

Olmo’s journey through European football has been marked by a long list of medical reports. Between 2020 and 2025, he has suffered muscle tears, adductor injuries, calf problems, knee issues, and even a shoulder operation. In total, he has spent over 370 days sidelined, the equivalent of more than an entire year out of action.

The numbers are striking: he missed 15 matches in the 2021–22 season, 24 in 2022–23, 25 in 2023–24, and already more than 10 this campaign. In every case, the same pattern repeats itself: muscular injuries between September and October, right when the football calendar begins to intensify.

A Talent That Hasn’t Taken Off at Barcelona

His move to Barcelona was met with excitement. Trained at La Masia and refined at RB Leipzig, Olmo was expected to become the new leader of the post-Messi era. However, since his arrival, he has only played 39% of the available minutes, a number that highlights his ongoing struggle to stay fit.

Fans now see him as a “diamond made of glass”: brilliant, skillful, and unique, yet with a body that can’t withstand the pace. His connection with Pedri and Gavi promised a dream midfield, but injuries have confined him to a supporting role. Every time he returns, he flashes moments of brilliance only for the same story to repeat itself: another injury, another long wait.

Between Hope and Frustration

Hansi Flick remains hopeful of having him back for El Clásico on October 26, but concern within the club is growing. Olmo doesn’t just need to recover, he needs to stay healthy to reclaim his place in the starting XI.

At 27 years old, his career stands at a crossroads. If he can overcome this cycle of fragility, he could still become one of the cornerstones of Barcelona’s project. But if the injuries persist, his story may go down as that of a gifted player who never reached his full potential.

For Dani Olmo, the challenge is no longer just to shine, it’s to prove he can endure. His talent is unquestionable, but once again, his body has betrayed him.