Dani Olmo’s lasting bond with Croatia revealed ahead of Spain return

Dani Olmo will return to Croatia with Spain for Tuesday’s meeting with Croatia in Split, but the Barcelona midfielder’s connection with the country extends far beyond football. It was the place that welcomed him at the age of 16, when he left Spain with his mother to begin his first adventure with Dinamo Zagreb.

Olmo’s time in Croatia played a significant role in shaping both his character and his career. His agent, Andy Bara, has now revealed that the Spain international has donated 2% of his total annual salary to the Vukovar charity foundation every year since leaving Dinamo Zagreb in 2020.

The midfielder continued the practice during his spell with Leipzig and has maintained it since moving to Barcelona. Olmo had chosen not to speak publicly about the donations, preferring to keep them away from the spotlight, but Bara disclosed the details.

“Since leaving Dinamo Zagreb, Olmo has donated 2% of his total annual salary to the Vukovar charity foundation,” his agent said.

Asked about the contribution at a news conference, Olmo appeared surprised that the story had become public. He spoke simply about his decision and recalled the emotions surrounding his departure from Croatia.

“When I left, I felt grateful to Croatia and wanted to give something back,” Olmo said.

He explained that he wanted to contribute part of his earnings to “the family of Vukovar”, having felt a responsibility to return some of the kindness shown by the country that had given him an important opportunity at the start of his career.

Olmo stressed that his contribution was only a modest effort to support the city and its people. The donations have been made through Common Goal, the initiative founded by former Spain player Juan Mata.

The arrangement has also allowed Olmo to maintain a connection with Vukovar, a city associated with painful memories of the Balkan War. His support has remained separate from the attention surrounding his football career and was not previously discussed by the player himself.

Now, years after leaving Croatia, Olmo is back wearing the Spain shirt. The match in Split brings him face to face with the country where his senior career began, but his return carries a personal story that cannot be measured by the result.

It is the story of a player who has not forgotten the place that took him in as a teenager and who chose to show his gratitude once he was able to do so.