OLMO COULD FACE THE RISK OF NOT PLAYING UNTIL JANUARY

Barcelona’s preparations for the new season have been rocked by a fresh administrative storm that could sideline Dani Olmo until January 2026. The Spanish midfielder, who has quickly become one of the most influential players under Hansi Flick, is now at the center of a registration dispute that has left fans anxious and the club scrambling for solutions.

The situation stems from the strict application of LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play regulations, which continue to haunt Barcelona despite several high-profile sales and restructuring efforts. According to reports, Olmo’s registration for the season currently depends on a precautionary measure granted by Spain’s Superior Sports Council (CSD). That protection, however, is temporary and could be overturned as early as September 1, when the National Court delivers its ruling.

If the court sides with LaLiga, Barcelona would not be permitted to officially register Olmo before the closure of the summer transfer market. That ruling would effectively sideline him until the winter window opens in January 2026, a devastating blow for both the player and the club. The crisis echoes last year’s struggles when Barcelona had to creatively maneuver their wage bill, using injured players’ salary space to temporarily register others.

Olmo, who joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2024 for a fee of €60 million, has been one of the bright spots in the squad. In just over a season, he has contributed 8 goals and 5 assists in 28 matches, offering both creativity and tactical versatility. At 26, he is entering the prime of his career, making the threat of losing him for half a season all the more alarming.

Head coach Hansi Flick has made no secret of his reliance on Olmo. The German tactician, who has already stamped his philosophy on the team with a dynamic 4-2-3-1 formation, views Olmo as a pivotal piece in linking midfield with attack. Losing him now would not only hurt Barcelona’s creativity but also disrupt Flick’s tactical balance at a time when the schedule intensifies with Champions League clashes against Bayern Munich, PSG, and Real Madrid in quick succession.

Club president Joan Laporta and his board are urgently exploring solutions to prevent such a nightmare scenario. Options on the table reportedly include accelerating player sales, such as the potential departure of academy graduate Marc Casadó to Chelsea, or generating new income through commercial deals and VIP hospitality at the Spotify Camp Nou. Yet, even those measures may not guarantee immediate relief given LaLiga’s strict oversight of Barça’s finances.

The fanbase has responded with anger and disbelief. On social media platform X, one frustrated supporter wrote: “It can’t be! Olmo out until January for paperwork? Barça must fix this immediately!” That sentiment reflects the wider mood among culés, who have endured years of financial turbulence and off-field drama overshadowing on-pitch progress.

Olmo himself has remained professional, but insiders suggest he is deeply concerned about the situation. Having returned to Spain to cement his place as both a Barcelona leader and a national team star, the prospect of sitting out four crucial months is unthinkable. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is also monitoring developments closely, as Olmo’s fitness and form are central to Spain’s plans heading into Euro 2026.

At a recent press conference, Flick attempted to reassure fans but could not hide his unease: “We are working closely with the board to resolve this matter. Dani is vital for our project, and I trust that a solution will be found. He has shown incredible commitment, and he deserves to be on the pitch, not in legal limbo.”

The uncertainty also places greater responsibility on youngsters like Fermín López and Pablo Torre, who may need to shoulder more minutes in Olmo’s absence. While both are talented, neither has Olmo’s experience or creative influence, raising questions about whether Barcelona’s squad is deep enough to cope with such a setback.

With just days left before the court ruling, the stakes could not be higher. Barcelona’s ability to keep pace in LaLiga and make a statement in Europe may depend on whether Olmo is cleared to play. If not, the club risks beginning another season on the back foot—handcuffed not by footballing weaknesses, but by the persistent shadow of financial regulation.

For now, all eyes turn to September 1, a date that could define Barcelona’s first half of the season. Fans, coaches, and players alike can only wait anxiously, hoping that bureaucracy does not rob them of one of their brightest stars.