Barcelona player and world champion Dani Olmo, from Terrassa, has hit out at Roberto Fabián Ayala over his account of the punch in the World Cup final and claims he does not need his apology.
Footballer Dani Olmo, Spanish international and FC Barcelona player, has broken his silence regarding the aggression he suffered from Roberto Fabián Ayala, a member of the Argentine national team's coaching staff, at the end of the 2022 World Cup final. In statements to the 'Diari de Terrassa', his hometown newspaper, the midfielder asserted that Ayala "is not telling the truth" and therefore does not accept his apology.
"If someone claims to be sorry but then justifies a punch by saying it was in response to something I said, then he is probably not sorry, because he is not telling the truth," Olmo stated. The player has been blunt: "I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologise. What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to acknowledge it with humility, truth, and dignity."
The altercation occurred in the moments following the final whistle of the match that awarded the title to Argentina against France. Olmo, who played several minutes in the match, was struck by Ayala in the players' tunnel, according to footage that was later released. Ayala himself publicly apologised, but now Olmo questions the sincerity of that gesture, considering that the former Argentine player has given a false account of the events.
When asked about the responsibility that footballers have as role models for society, Olmo reflected on the importance of behaviour both on and off the pitch. "When my children, my family, the fans, and the people of Terrassa watch the match, I want them to be proud of how we compete, how we win, but above all of our behaviour on the pitch," he pointed out.
The midfielder added that "the significance of football means that players are an example for children and new generations, and that carries a great responsibility." Nevertheless, he wanted to focus on the positive: "Thank God, what is truly important is that we experienced an incredible World Cup, that the world saw it, and that we are world champions after a lot of hard work."
Olmo, who came through the youth ranks at FC Barcelona and later thrived at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig before returning to the Catalan club, is one of the standout players of the current generation of the Spanish national team. His connection with Terrassa remains strong, and it is not uncommon for him to grant interviews to media from his hometown.
The controversy with Ayala, however, does not seem to be closing. While the Argentine insists that his apology was sincere, Olmo maintains that the account of events does not correspond with reality. "What truly defines us is not the mistake, but the courage to acknowledge it with humility, truth, and dignity," reiterated the Terrassa native, making it clear that for him the matter is settled on his terms.
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