Dani Olmo has accused Real Madrid of attempting to destabilise Barcelona through legal complaints and public criticism, suggesting the Bernabéu’s recent “noise” reflects frustration at two trophyless campaigns while the Catalan club collected domestic silverware.
The Spain international told RAC1 that Real Madrid’s actions were predictable given Barcelona’s recent success. The Blaugrana have won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa across the past two seasons, while Los Blancos finished the 2025-26 season empty-handed.
“It is normal they want to make noise somehow,” Olmo said. He pointed to Barcelona’s trophy haul as the source of Real Madrid’s discontent, adding that his side remained focused on their “own game and on continuing to win” despite the off-pitch pressure.
The midfielder’s comments reference a sustained campaign by the Bernabéu hierarchy. Real Madrid filed a complaint against Barcelona regarding the Negreira Case, while club president Florentino Pérez has repeatedly criticised the Catalan side in public forums and reportedly discussed the matter with UEFA officials.
Tensions have also centred on Olmo’s own registration status. Earlier in 2025, La Liga president Javier Tebas publicly questioned whether the midfielder would remain eligible to play for Barcelona through the season, arguing that court injunctions used to maintain his registration undermined the league’s financial controls. Real Madrid were reported to have quietly supported that position.
Real Madrid have responded to their barren campaign with an ambitious recruitment drive under new manager José Mourinho. The club has signed Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konaté as they look to close the gap on their rivals. Olmo acknowledged their improvements but remained defiant. “They are looking to improve,” he noted, “but we also improve every year.”
Barcelona’s summer has involved conflict beyond the capital. The club remains embroiled in a dispute with Atlético Madrid over Julián Alvarez, with the Rojiblancos subsequently filing a FIFA complaint against Barcelona regarding the transfer saga.
With Clásicos on the horizon and legal questions over Barcelona’s financial compliance still unresolved, Olmo is unlikely to be the last player drawn into the escalating friction between Spain’s footballing giants.