The greatest thing to say about the Bayern Munich winger is perhaps the way he enjoys his football, the sense of fun and freedom, of creativity
As the game wound down, Bayern Munich on top, all the German side needed to do was run down the clock and seal their Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid, but Michael Olise would have more.
He shrugged off signals from his teammates to run towards the corner and waste the last minute of the tie and instead charged towards the Madrid penalty area. Is this it then, Michael? Is this what we’re doing?
The resultant shot was a beautiful thing, taken with very little backlift, the ball in motion gliding towards goal unimpeded, cannoning off the inside of the left post and then into the net.
Olise off the pitch seems like a cool, taciturn man, but the greatest thing to say about him on it is perhaps the way he enjoys his football, the sense of fun and freedom. Watching him you think: this is what creativity is all about. This is the stuff fans come to see. You’ll watch this game because Olise is in it.
Olise’s form this season has made him a vital part of Bayern and Vincent Kompany’s treble-seeking team, but this summer he will have another big role to play at the international level for France.
Un Michael Olise 𝚘𝚖𝚗𝚒𝚙𝚛𝚎́𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝 hier soir 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ubDhBjbUks
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 27, 2026
France were victorious in the 2018 World Cup and beaten finalists in 2022. Then their performance in Euro 2024 was a mess, where even though they reached the semi-finals, their brand of defensive non-football was so heavily criticised that it almost seemed like a win for football, just deserts, the crumbling of the Sith empire in the eleventh hour, when the free-flowing, attacking Spain defeated them with the aid of a sublime curling effort by the prodigious Lamine Yamal, a strike that later won the goal of the tournament.
France’s attack has grown better since then, become electrifying, and Olise is a big part of that, even if his more central role instead of the right half-spaces that he loves risks stifling his creativity.
“Deschamps intends to play him as a No 10 during the World Cup,” French pundit Julien Laurens told BBC Sport. “I’m not too convinced with that in some ways. Why do you want to move him from that position where he feels comfortable and has all his bearings as one of the best players in the world?
“I’m sure Olise will do really well as a No 10 at the World Cup. But I just question why you would want to change him.”
L’attente n’est plus très longue ⌚️
🔜 J-50 avant la Coupe du Monde 🏆 pic.twitter.com/E9JhnE6HKT— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) April 22, 2026
Operating primarily from the right wing at Bayern, Olise has helped drive the club to the Bundesliga title and a place in the Champions League semi-finals. His output has been among the best in Europe: 18 goals and 29 assists in 45 appearances this season. No player across Europe’s top five leagues has registered more assists. Among wingers, none can match his 38 goal involvements.
For France, however, his role has been different. Didier Deschamps has often deployed him centrally in a 4-2-3-1 system. France used that setup to reach the Nations League semi-finals, where they lost 5-4 to Spain in Stuttgart, before collecting 16 points from a possible 18 in World Cup qualifying.
Olise has contributed two goals in five matches for Les Bleus this season, but his overall influence for any team he plays for goes beyond scoring. Since the start of last season, he has 44 assists in all competitions, seven more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. Only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has created more chances in that period.
Olise’s ability to operate in tight spaces, beat markers and create under pressure has been a consistent feature of his game and one that France should cherish if they are to lift football’s most prestigious trophy once again in North America.
Akliouche ➡️ Cherki ➡️ Thuram ➡️ Doué
Une contre-attaque modèle avec nos 4 attaquants qui touchent le ballon 🔥 pic.twitter.com/60w8QJueQv
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 31, 2026
Of course, Les Bleus have no shortage of attacking talent. Ousmane Dembele has rediscovered top form, Kylian Mbappe has scored 41 goals so far this season despite a disappointing campaign for Real Madrid, while Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Marcus Thuram have all impressed at club level. But even within that group, Olise’s current form makes him difficult to leave out of the starting XI.
There are, however, concerns in other areas of the squad. Desire Doue has struggled to match the level he reached during the 2024-25 season, Ibrahima Konate has endured a difficult campaign with Liverpool, and there are questions around the full-back positions. Jules Kounde has not been at his best for Barcelona, Lucas Digne has shared minutes at Aston Villa, and alternatives such as Malo Gusto and Theo Hernandez are yet to fully convince.
France have also been dealt a setback on the left side of their attack. Hugo Ekitike, who had strengthened his case with a goal in the friendly win over Brazil in Foxborough, has been ruled out of the World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon. His absence leaves Bradley Barcola as the leading option on the left, although Doue and Thuram are also in contention.
Deschamps will have to decide who replaces Ekitike in the squad, with Randal Kolo Muani, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Christopher Nkunku and Florian Thauvin among the candidates.
So there are multiple options for France across their forward line, and they have the depth for Deschamps to adjust their attacking setup if need be. But based on current form and output, Olise may just be the bright star to guide Les Bleus to glory, whether that is out wide or through the middle.
