The year is 2007. Lionel Messi is a new world football star. People recognize him in the street, stadium, supermarket, and everywhere he goes. Children are most enchanted by him. They are not afraid to approach him, embrace him, and take a warm photo with him. One boy did it hoping to get a memory for life with a new young football celebrity, and couldn’t probably imagine back then, at the age of 9, that he would also become one. His name is Dani Olmo, and last night, he played a perfect game and carried Spain towards victory over the EURO 2024 host, noting a goal and an assist.Lionel Messi with a young Dani Olmo in 2007 pic.twitter.com/TdprUHAJdE— Alabi (@the_Lawrenz) July 5, 2024 Just like in the case of Lamine Yamal, Olmo was touched by destiny embodied in Leo Messi a long time ago. But unlike his young teammate, the 26-year-old took a slight detour in his path towards the success. Being born in Terrassa, the province of Barcelona, Dani’s first football steps have already been predetermined. One year with Espanyol and then the move to Barca in that famous 2007. He spent seven years in La Masia, just to realize there was no place for him at Camp Nou.His winding football road took him to Croatia, to Dinamo Zagreb, where he spent two years with the reserve team at first, only after getting a chance in the first squad. In five years there, he showed his full potential and was spotted by RB Leipzig, which snatched him in 2020, and the rest is history.🇪🇸 Scored. Assisted. Ran the attack.What a performance from Dani Olmo 👏@Vivo_GLOBAL | #EUROPOTM pic.twitter.com/yFGSaweEPy— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 5, 2024 However, even then, he wasn’t recognized as one of Spain’s best. Ahead of this year’s EURO, many shook their heads with disbelief, seeing the “saint” number 10 on Olmo’s chest. “Why him? Did he really merit it? Give it to Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, someone more deserving,” people wondered and commented. What they didn’t know was that all that was already written. Where? Somewhere. Somewhere where the human eye can neither read nor see it: somewhere in the stars. When? That answer is easier. If we didn’t know until now, now we do: in 2007. Messi touched him with a touch of destiny, and you know what that means. However, one man – the experienced and cunning fox, Luis de la Fuente – might have known it from the beginning. Perhaps 17 years ago, he was passing by the stadium and saw the scene from THAT photo.A touch of destinyBut even he didn’t believe Olmo enough to include him in the starting lineup. Toni Kroos, whose career ended last night, injured Pedri and, unknowingly, started a chain of events, passing the torch to Olmo, who was subbed in in that eighth minute, and the Germans were doomed. If that’s not fate at work, tell me what is?! Finally, we’ve said it once, but stories like this require repetition: One cannot escape their fate. Olmo was hidden in the shadows, in Croatia, far from his homeland, but Messi’s mark was there, shining and leading his destiny towards him. How? It’s all written somewhere, don’t you know?EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – 1/4 FINALSFridaySpain – Germany 2-1 (0-0) AET/Olmo 52, Merino 119 – Wirtz 89/Portugal – France 3-5 on pen (0-0)Saturday19:00: (2.35) England (3.20) Switzerland (3.55)22:00: (1.65) Netherlands (4.10) Turkey (5.80)***odds are subject to change***
