It was a cold winter day around four years ago, when RB Leipzig had good news to announce. On January 25, 2020, one of “Europe’s greatest midfield talents” became a Red Bull. His name: Daniel “Dani” Olmo Carvajal. Born on May 7, 1998. Previous stations: Dinamo Zagreb and FC Barcelona.
At that time, top clubs were lining up to sign the youngster. Even at a young age, Dani showed strong performances for Croatian record champions, Dinamo Zagreb, and was a starter and key player at the age of 21.
“It’s clear to me that this is the best decision for me now,” he explained at his official presentation in Leipzig. “I’m here to develop further and to win titles with this great club.”
In the summer of 2024 – four and a half years later – one thing is certain: RBL and Dani Olmo (26) were able to put their words into action. As the reigning European Champion says goodbye, we look back at the most magical moments of “El Mago” wearing the RB Leipzig jersey.
The beginning
- Dani Olmo made his official debut for the Red Bulls on February 1, 2020 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Our head coach at the time, Julian Nagelsmann, brought Dani on for Tyler Adams in the 70th minute. In the end, our boys managed to draw 2-2 after being 2-0 down. It’s safe to say that Dani’s debut was a success!
“I will always remember my first game for RBL against Gladbach. I immediately had a special connection with Emil Forsberg. It worked out well.
In total, Dani Olmo played 148 matches for RB Leipzig and was on the pitch for us for 9,045 minutes.
One for the memories
- It wasn’t long before Dani was directly involved in a goal for the first time. In his third game for RBL, he provided his first assist. The winning formula: a corner from Dani Olmo, header from Patrik Schick, and a goal for RB Leipzig! The Spaniard would go on to provide many more happy moments…
Dani Olmo’s scoring record for RB Leipzig: 29 goals and 34 assists. With 29 goals, Dani Olmo is currently the 9th most successful goalscorer in our club’s history.
Dani Olmo’s “Man of the Match” moments
- June 12, 2020: Dani Olmo scored a brace in the 2-0 win against TSG Hoffenheim. Almost three years later, he would surpass this feat.
- August 13, 2020: Dani Olmo put us in the lead in the Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid. After another goal from Tyler Adams, RBL won 2-1 and made it to the semi-finals of the UCL for the first time.
- May 21, 2022: Dani Olmo was one of four Leipzig shooters to compete in the vital penalty shootout for the DFB Pokal win against SC Freiburg. And he shot his attempt into the left corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. All Leipzig players scored, RBL became a German Pokal winner for the first time!
Dani Olmo: “The first DFB Pokal win was well contested. We were outnumbered for a long portion of the match and had to go into extra time. The way we performed as a team, stuck together and won the final. That was incredible.”
- August 12, 2023: Dani Olmo is on fire! In the Supercup against FC Bayern Munich, “El Mago” had a brilliant day, scoring all three goals and winning his third title with RB Leipzig.
Dani Olmo: “That will always be a special game for me. Three goals against Bayern, that was fantastic and the perfect start to the new season for us.”
Titles and achievements
Dani Olmo’s trophy collection as a Red Bull
- 2022 DFB Pokal Winner
- 2023 DFB Pokal Winner
- 2023 Supercup Winner
- 2023 UEFA Nations League Winner
- 2024 European Champion
“El Mago” does his magic!
- Dani Olmo’s last goal celebration in the Red Bull Arena (for now) was on Matchday 29 of last season. In the 3-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg, the right-footer scored a magnificent goal from distance and assisted another one. These were his last contributions on goal for RB Leipzig.
Watch Dani’s long-distance screamer and his great assist here.
Dani Olmo and the Olympiastadion
- Dani Olmo knows that Berlin’s Olympiastadion has been a good place for him during his two DFB Pokal wins in 2022 and 2023. On July 14, 2024, he would follow up with his third consecutive final win in Berlin.
“El Mago” go on to win the European Championship with Spain, playing an important role.3 goals and 2 assists make him one of the outstanding attacking players of the tournament.