RB Leipzig playmaker Dani Olmo reveals he was forced to take picture with Lionel Messi ‘against his will’ when he was a youngster

RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo has admitted he was as soon as pressured to take an image with Lionel Messi ‘towards his will’ earlier than becoming a member of Barcelona’s academy.

Olmo spent seven years at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy complicated from 2007–2014 earlier than securing a everlasting transfer to Dinamo Zagreb the next yr.

And the Leipzig playmaker, who has made 12 appearances for Spain, admitted he didn’t welcome Messi disrupting his coaching session when he was youthful.

“One time, earlier than I even joined La Masia, I accompanied my father whereas he was managing a recreation at Castelldefels,” Olmo informed The Players Tribune.

“I used to be eight years outdated. I used to be enjoying fortunately on my own with a ball, when somebody — I feel it was a pal of my dad’s — came to visit and informed me, ‘Hey, Dani, come right here! You’re not going to consider this. You’re going to have your image taken with Lionel Messi!’

“Apparently, Messi had a pal enjoying within the Castelldefels recreation and had come all the way down to see him.

“Wow, Messi, proper? In Castelldefels? What child wouldn’t need their image with him?

“Effectively, me! I used to be like, ‘No, thanks. I’m good. I need to preserve enjoying! It’s only a image, proper?’

“However, towards my will, they caught me subsequent to Messi and took the image. I didn’t even say something to him. I simply waited for the clicking after which I went again to my ball, like I used to be doing him a favour.

Olmo admits the image is now considered one of his Most worthy possessions and insisted he’s grateful that he was pressured to take the image with the footballer that many regard as the perfect of all time.

He added: “In the long run, I’ve to say I’m glad they pressured me, as a result of I’ve nonetheless bought that image framed at dwelling. On the time although, I wasn’t completely happy to have my priceless enjoying time interrupted — even by an icon.”

Olmo has been a key participant for Leipzig this time period, scoring thrice and including eight assists in 26 Bundesliga matches.