Dani Olmo has rejected Roberto Ayala’s apology following their confrontation after the World Cup final, accusing the Argentina assistant coach of “lying” about what happened.
Spain secured their second World Cup title after Ferran Torres’ superb extra-time goal sealed a hard-fought victory over Argentina, overcoming their opponents’ controversial tactics and time-wasting to lift the trophy once again.
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Despite Spain’s historic triumph, the celebrations were marred by ugly scenes after the final whistle. Several players from both teams became involved in heated confrontations, with Leandro Paredes seen pushing and kicking Gavi and Eric Garcia during the chaos.
In another incident, Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala appeared to swing at Dani Olmo, making contact around the neck area and forcing the Barcelona midfielder backwards.
Olmo kept his composure throughout the confrontation, refusing to retaliate before Spain manager Luis de la Fuente guided him away as preparations began for the trophy presentation.
Three days after the fiery encounter, Ayala publicly apologised to the Spain international.
Roberto Ayala, Scaloni's coaching staff member, punched Dani Olmo after the match ended. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/wH2Ws4rOSM
— RazedFootball (@RazedFootball) July 20, 2026
“Obviously I’m sorry. Because of my position, I can’t allow a feeling, or what I might receive from the other party, to change my mood and my actions. I’m sorry, but for me, these are things that stay there and that’s it,” he said during an interview with Esports Migdia on Valencia Capital Radio.
“For me, things need to be put behind us and left there.
“It was more of a push than anything else, it wasn’t a punch like they’re saying, and that’s it.
“It was a reaction to something he said, but that’s it. If I see him, I’ll obviously apologise to him in person.”
Ayala also maintained that his original intention was to break up the confrontation involving the players before becoming caught up in the incident himself.
He continued: “It’s a shame, and you have to accept the facts and the things you’ve done on the field.
“When the game ends, what I see is a fight in the middle of the pitch, and we rush to go after our players, and it ends up like that because that’s not who we are.
“I take responsibility for what I did. My intention was to go and separate them, that was my intention, but sometimes things happen and emotions run high, but that’s no excuse. And given my position, my behaviour has to be different, regardless of what I receive.”
However, Olmo has now dismissed Ayala’s explanation, insisting the former Argentina and Valencia defender was not telling the truth when he claimed the incident was provoked by something Olmo had said.
Speaking to Diari de Terrassa, the Spain midfielder said: “Someone who confesses to being sorry, but justifies a punch by claiming it was a response to something said, is surely not sorry, because he’s lying.
“I didn’t say anything to him, so I don’t need him to apologise.
“What truly defines us isn’t the mistake itself, but the courage to accept it with humility, honesty, and dignity.
“When my children, my family, and so many fans watch the game, I want them to be proud of how we competed, how we won, and above all, our behaviour.
“The importance of football means that we players are role models for children and future generations, and that carries a huge responsibility.”
Olmo ended by turning the focus back to Spain’s World Cup success, saying: “Thank God, what’s really important is that we’ve experienced an incredible World Cup, that the world has seen it, and that we are world champions after a lot of hard work.”
Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed it has opened an investigation into Argentina’s behaviour following the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
