Dani Olmo Suffers Shoulder Dislocation and Is Ruled Out Until 2026

FC Barcelona has suffered another major setback. Medical tests performed on Wednesday confirmed that Dani Olmo has a dislocated left shoulder, an injury that will require conservative treatment and keep him sidelined for about one month. With the calendar about to close, this timeline means Olmo will not play again in 2025, ruling him out of matches against Betis, Eintracht Frankfurt, Osasuna, Villarreal, and Barça’s Copa del Rey debut in December.

The injury occurred in the middle of what should have been a moment of celebration. After scoring against Atlético Madrid, Olmo landed awkwardly and immediately remained motionless on the pitch. Even though he smiled when he saw the ball hit the net, he was unable to get up. He left the field holding his arm with a towel, visibly in pain — a sign the blow was far more serious than it first appeared.

The timing could not be worse. Olmo was enjoying one of his strongest spells of the season, scoring three goals in two matches and becoming a key figure in Hansi Flick’s system. He had finally regained confidence, rhythm, and continuity after a previous injury that kept him out in October. Now, this new setback forces him to stop again and leaves Barcelona without one of its most impactful players between the lines — someone who links play, accelerates transitions, and finishes attacks reliably.

His absence deepens Barca’s injury crisis. Alongside Olmo, Ter Stegen, Gavi, and Fermín López remain sidelined, all of whom already forced Flick to adjust the structure of the team. Adding to the concerns, Ronald Araújo recently requested time off to recover emotionally, leaving the defense without one of its cornerstones.

The scenario complicates Barcelona’s end-of-year push across all competitions. With LaLiga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey demanding squad depth, the team is losing key players at the worst possible time. Flick will need to reorganize roles, accelerate development for younger players, and maintain competitive levels despite a shrinking roster.

Dani Olmo’s dislocation arrives just as he was rediscovering his best form. His return will come in 2026, but Barcelona’s need for his stability and creativity begins now, as the club battles through a critical stretch without one of its most influential midfielders.