Barcelona and Spanish national team player Dani Olmo has broken his silence a week after the 2026 World Cup final. In an interview, he accuses Argentine assistant Roberto Ayala of lying to justify the punch he received.
Dani Olmo, FC Barcelona footballer and Spain international, has given an interview to Diari de Terrassa in which he speaks about the aggression he suffered from Roberto Ayala, assistant to the Argentine national team, during the 2026 World Cup final. The match, played a week ago, ended with a Spanish victory of 1-0 and the title for La Roja.
In his statements, Olmo denies Ayala's version, who had justified the punch by claiming it was a response to something the player said.
“Someone who claims to be remorseful but justifies a punch by stating it was a response to something I said surely does not feel remorse, because he is lying. I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologise,” Olmo stated.
The incident occurred after the final whistle of the match, when Ayala struck Olmo in the face in the dressing room tunnels. The images, which were not captured by television cameras, circulated on social media and sparked a strong controversy regarding the behaviour of the Argentine delegation.
Olmo also reflected on the responsibility of footballers as role models for younger people.
“What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to acknowledge it with humility, truth, and dignity,” he noted.
The midfielder, who was trained at La Masia and has a past with Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, highlighted that the behaviour of the Spanish team during the World Cup has been exemplary.
“The significance of football means that players are role models for children and new generations. This entails great responsibility. What’s really important is that we experienced an incredible World Cup and that we are world champions after a lot of hard work,” he concluded.
The interview has had a strong impact in Argentina, where local media have reported Olmo's words with a critical tone towards the player. However, in Spain, his statements have been supported by fans and the national team dressing room, who believe the aggression was unjustified.
Barcelona, for its part, has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, although sources close to the club claim they support their player. Olmo, who is on holiday after the World Cup, is expected to rejoin Barça's pre-season in mid-July.
FIFA has yet to comment on possible sanctions against Roberto Ayala, although the organisation could open a disciplinary file if the evidence is conclusive. So far, the Argentine assistant has not made any new statements following his initial apologies.
You may also like
