Spanish playmaker Danie Olmo says Euro title a priority over Golden Boot

SPAIN playmaker Dani Olmo is vying for the Euro 2024 golden boot with England’s Harry Kane, but said yesterday he doesn’t care about winning it as long as his team lift the trophy.

Olmo and Kane are tied on three goals with four other players and if either scores in the final on Sunday in Berlin, they will likely claim the prize.

However, with Spain angling for a record fourth European Championship crown, 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 said.

“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 teammates but unlike in the past when that was used as a tiebreaker, the award will be shared by any players joint-top of the charts.

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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 semi-final and has scored in all three knockout 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,” the 26-year-old said. “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.”

AFP