Michael Olise may cut a reserved figure off the pitch, but there is certainly nothing muted about his on-field talents. In just two years at Bayern Munich, the French international has made the right flank his own, becoming a mainstay of the Bavarian outfit’s attack.
Olise dazzled brightly at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, despite the German giants exiting in the quarter-finals following defeat to eventual runners-up Paris Saint-Germain. A breathtaking 45-minute outing in his team’s curtain-raiser against Auckland City yielded two goals and assists apiece in a 10-0 rout before a sublime slotted finish clinched a 2-1 victory in a tightly contested encounter against Boca Juniors. The showstopping playmaker is now set to return to American soil as a leading light in Les Bleus’ forward line.
On the cusp of his first FIFA World Cup™, the 24-year-old looks poised to leave a lasting imprint on football’s biggest stage.
Olise’s achievements and attributes
Born in the West London district of Hammersmith to a Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, Olise draws on a blend of influences in his game. After impressing in England’s second tier with Reading, for whom he made his debut in March 2019, he secured a move to Crystal Palace in July 2021 and became the club’s youngest scorer of the 21st century three months later. Courted by some of world football’s biggest hitters, he ultimately opted to move to Bayern Munich, where he hit the ground running. Just two minutes into his debut – a German Cup clash away to Ulm 1846 – he registered an assist after having entered the fray as a 77th-minute substitute. He has since picked up a pair of Bundesliga titles and a German Super Cup in Die Roten colours.
His international career has taken a similar trajectory. Under Thierry Henry’s tutelage at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024, the talismanic trickster scored twice and assisted five goals during the host nation’s run to the final. His eye-catching performances earned him a call-up to Didier Deschamps’ senior squad, and he made his first appearance for the reigning World Cup runners-up on 6 September 2024 in the UEFA Nations League contest against Italy. Operating in his preferred role on the right rather than as a No10, he has quickly established himself as a key member of Les Bleus’ attacking arsenal.
Olise’s tributes
“He’s currently the best winger in the world. He creates a lot of chances and isn’t afraid to dribble. I think he’s one of our main players.”
Bayern Munich team-mate Harry Kane
“He offers us real fluidity, his technical ability means he’s a difference maker, and he has bags of potential.”
France head coach Didier Deschamps
“He’s sure to be one of the best players in the world. He’s well on his way – he’s doing all the right things.”
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany
“Michael is a different kind of player. The way he interacts with play is different; he sees it in his mind rather than with his eyes.”
France legend Thierry Henry
“He’s an outstanding player. For football fans everywhere, he’s a pleasure to watch.”
Portugal legend Luis Figo
Olise Trivia
Olise Stats
Olise and France’s World Cup 2026 hopes
Alongside Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, Olise completes a French attacking trio widely regarded as one of the most formidable forward lines poised to take to the stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. With stiff competition for places following the emergence of the likes of Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue – the latter having received the FIFA Best Young Player Award at last year’s inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ – the European powerhouse possess the strength in depth to match their star power. They head into the tournament among the favourites, with their sights set on gracing a third final in as many editions, a feat achieved only by West Germany and Brazil. Securing the national team’s third World Cup crown would be a fitting send-off for Deschamps, who is set to bring the curtain down on 14 years in charge of Les Bleus.
