DONAUESCHINGEN, Germany: Spain playmaker Dani Olmo is vying for the Euro 2024 golden boot with England’s Harry Kane, but said Friday he doesn’t care about winning it as long as his team lifts the trophy.
Olmo and Kane are tied on three goals with four other players and if either score in the final on Sunday in Berlin they will likely claim the prize.
However, with Spain angling for a record fourth European Championship, Olmo said the team’s target was far more important than his own individual glory.
“It’s an extra motivation, if there’s even room for that, but look, as long as we win, I don’t care if I score or if (Spain goalkeeper) Unai Simon does,” Olmo told reporters.
“I don’t care at all, the important thing is winning the game, but I always have the objective of helping to chip in.”
Olmo has also created two goals for his team-mates but unlike in the past when that was used as a tie-breaker, the award will be shared by any players joint-top of the charts.
The RB Leipzig midfielder did not start the tournament as part of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s first choice side but made a strong impact off the bench when given the chance.
Olmo replaced the injured Pedri in the quarter-final win over hosts Germany, scoring and setting up the winner for Mikel Merino.
The midfielder also struck against France in the semifinal and has scored in all three knock-out rounds Spain have played.
“In this tournament I feel very good, in a great moment of form, so I have to keep taking advantage of it,” continued the 26-year-old.
“It’s true (Kane and I) are tied, but there are other players too who have helped us get here, with goals and good play.
“Speaking of goals, Fabian (Ruiz) has two goals, Alvaro (Morata) has one — if he scores a hat-trick then he will win it, and we’d be just as happy — it doesn’t matter who scores, the main thing is the team.”
Olmo scored a hat-trick for Leipzig as they beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the German Supercup final on Kane’s debut for the Bavarian giants last August.
The England captain has still not won a trophy in his career at club or international level, finishing a runner-up with England in the Euro 2020 final.
Kane, 30, has struggled for form and peak fitness at the Euros despite managing three goals.
“Of course it would be a dream to score a hat-trick (again) and win it,” added Olmo.
“But I repeat, the goal is just to win it.”
Spain winning Euro priority not Golden Boot race with Kane: Olmo
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Spain winning Euro priority not Golden Boot race with Kane: Olmo
- Olmo and Kane are tied on three goals with four other players and if either score in the final on Sunday in Berlin they will likely claim the prize
- However, with Spain angling for a record fourth European Championship, Olmo said the team’s target was far more important than his own individual glory
US coach Pochettino says he wants to one day return to the Premier League
- Pochettino is preparing for next summer’s World Cup when he will lead the US at its home tournament
- “The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day,” he said
WASHINGTON: Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his determination to one day win the Premier League and Champions League.
The Argentine coach is preparing for next summer’s World Cup when he will lead the United States at its home tournament. But his long-term ambitions are to return to elite European club soccer.
In an interview with the BBC, the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager said he wants to work in England’s top flight again.
“The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day,” he said. “It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again.”
The US were handed a favorable draw for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico. Pochettino’s team would at least expect to advance out of their group, which includes Paraguay, Australia and the winner of a European playoff between Turkiye, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania.
Asked if he could achieve one more thing in his career, Pochettino’s answer was “to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”
“We were so close in Tottenham. I want to achieve this. I am still young, I have the energy, experience and motivation to try in the future,” he said.
