Michael Olise

Who Is Michael Olise?

Michael Akpovie Olise is a professional footballer who plays as a right winger or attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich and the France national team. He was born on December 12, 2001, in Hammersmith, London, England.

From a domestic double winner to the leading assist provider at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Michael Olise’s 2025/26 campaign was certainly one to remember. He is already being discussed as a genuine Ballon d’Or contender.

He is of Nigerian (Urhobo) and French-Algerian descent. Olise holds citizenship in England, France, Nigeria, and Algeria. However, he represents France internationally—a choice that has proved to be one of the most consequential decisions of his career.

Early Life: Three Cultures, One Extraordinary Talent

Born in London, Rooted in the World

Michael Olise was born in Hammersmith, London, in 2001. However, his heritage stretches far beyond England.

His father is Nigerian of Urhobo descent. His mother is French-Algerian. At home, Olise had three cultures thanks to his parents. This multicultural upbringing gave him a broad worldview and, by his own account, a deep love for France—a country he always dreamed of representing.

As a child, Olise idolized Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Zinedine Zidane and dreamt of joining France’s national football team.

A Football Prodigy From the Start

Football came naturally to Olise. He played from a very young age alongside his brother, Richard Olise, who is also a footballer and represented England at youth level.

At the age of seven, Olise entered Chelsea Academy, where he met Jamal Musiala. At Chelsea, he was described as talented but complicated. A former Chelsea youth coach characterized the young Olise as “complicated”: “He has a very different way of thinking about life, about football. It’s what is his genius; it’s what makes him special.”

After a mutual decision, he left Chelsea at 14 years old.

Career Journey: From Reading’s Reserves to Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena

Reading FC: The Professional Debut (2019–2021)

In July 2018, Olise was inducted into Reading’s Academy scholarship program. He made his debut for Reading on March 12, 2019, in a 3–0 home defeat to Leeds United.

He scored his first league goal in a 2–0 win over Barnsley in September 2020. By 2021, his performances had earned him the EFL Young Player of the Season award.

He made his professional debut for Championship club Reading at 17 years old in 2019 and won EFL Young Player of the Season in 2021.

Multiple big clubs came calling. However, Olise made a decision that surprised many people. He rejected Manchester United in 2021 to join Crystal Palace, prioritizing playing time over a bigger club.

Crystal Palace: The Premier League Breakthrough (2021–2024)

On July 8, 2021, Olise signed a five-year deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace after they activated his £8 million release clause.

At Crystal Palace, he became one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League. He formed a brilliant partnership with Eberechi Eze. Together, they created some of the most eye-catching football in English football during that era.

His honors at Crystal Palace include:

• Crystal Palace Players’ Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Crystal Palace Goal of the Season: 2022–23

Prior to moving to Bayern München in July 2024, Olise made 82 league appearances in total at Crystal Palace, scoring 14 goals and providing 22 assists. the analyst

A serious hamstring injury in February 2024 briefly threatened his momentum. Despite this, he returned to score 10 goals and provide 6 assists in just 19 matches—earning a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The Bayern Munich Transfer (July 2024)

In the summer of 2024, the football world came calling in force. Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Manchester United all pursued Olise.

On July 7, 2024, Bundesliga club Bayern Munich announced the signing of Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year contract valid through June 30, 2029, after he rejected Chelsea.

Bayern Munich paid almost £60 million for Olise, which was the buy-out clause placed on the midfielder by Crystal Palace. not just

Olise’s transfer to Bayern Munich in 2024 made him the most expensive French player to leave the Premier League at the time.

At his unveiling, Olise said, “The talks with FC Bayern were very positive, and I am very happy to now be playing for such a big club. It’s a great challenge, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.”

Bayern Munich — Season One: 2024/25

Olise’s debut Bundesliga season was outstanding. He recorded 12 goals and 15 assists in 34 Bundesliga appearances, becoming the top assist provider in the Bundesliga. the analyst

At the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, he scored twice, including the winning goal, helping his team advance. heart language

He won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 2024/25—his first league title.

Bayern Munich — Season Two: 2025/26 — An All-Time Campaign

His second season at Bayern was historic. Olise recorded 15 goals and 19 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances in 2025/26, finishing with 34 goal contributions—the 2nd most in Bundesliga history.

Furthermore, his 19 assists were just two shy of the all-time Bundesliga record, placing him second all-time, while he also finished with the second-most assists across Europe’s top five leagues.

Olise propelled Bayern to a Bundesliga and DFB Cup double in 2025/26—a remarkable achievement. Bayern boss Vincent Kompany said of his star player: “Michael Olise is already one of the best players in the world.”

Additionally, he finished the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League with eight assists—the joint-most in the competition.

International Career: From Olympic Silver to World Cup Record-Breaker

Youth and Olympic Career

Olise represented France at every youth level. He played for France U18, France U21, and—most memorably—France at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he won a silver medal and scored five goals in nine appearances.

France manager Didier Deschamps said Olise impressed him at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was coached by Thierry Henry—the France and Arsenal great—and Olise’s two goals and five assists helped Les Bleus reach the final.

Senior France Debut (September 2024)

France manager Didier Deschamps announced Olise’s first senior call-up on August 29, 2024. His debut came just over a week later, on September 6, against Italy.

His first international goal came on his sixth appearance, as he bent a free kick into the top corner against Croatia in the 2025 Nations League.

The 2026 World Cup: A Record for the Ages

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held across Canada, Mexico, and the USA, Michael Olise delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable individual performances.

Before the tournament, he scored a hat-trick against Northern Ireland in France’s final warm-up match. This first-ever hat-trick in a France shirt underlined the meteoric rise of a player who continues to grow in importance within the national setup. foot-africa

At the tournament itself, Olise was Man of the Match on his World Cup debut against Senegal, setting up Kylian Mbappé for France’s first goal of the tournament in a 3-1 victory.

Then came history. France’s Michael Olise set the record for the most assists at a men’s FIFA World Cup, when he and Kylian Mbappé combined for a perfect one-two combination in the 67th minute of the 2026 World Cup bronze medal match against England. The assist was Olise’s seventh at the 2026 World Cup, which broke Pelé’s record from the 1970 World Cup. Fox Sports

Michael Olise now owns that line in the record book, finishing the World Cup with seven assists. For context, he is five behind Leo Messi’s absolute assists record across World Cups—a target that suddenly feels within range. Olise will still be just 28 when the next tournament kicks off.

Playing Style: What Makes Olise Special

Michael Olise is a left-footed right winger. This makes him a natural cut-in-the-middle threat. His signature move is a devastating inside cut off the right flank—executed so deftly and quickly that it has become his calling card.

His ability to beat defenders, create chances, and finish plays makes him a rare profile on the international stage.

Furthermore, he offers tactical flexibility for France, giving coach Didier Deschamps a direct and unpredictable weapon on the right side alongside Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé—forming one of the most dangerous front lines in world football.

Career Statistics at a Glance

Club Career

International Career

Trophies and Honors

Club Honours (Bayern Munich)

• Bundesliga: 2024/25, 2025/26 (2 titles)
• DFB-Pokal (German Cup): 2025/26
• DFL-Supercup: 2025/26

International Honours (France)

• Olympic Silver Medal: 2024 Paris Olympics

Individual Awards and Records

• EFL Young Player of the Season: 2020/21 (Reading)
• Crystal Palace Players’ Player of the Season: 2022/23
• Crystal Palace Goal of the Season: 2022/23
• Bundesliga Top Assist Provider: 2024/25 and 2025/26
• All-time Bundesliga assists record: 2nd place all-time (19 assists in 2025/26)
• 12th most goal involvements in Bundesliga history: 34 in 2025/26
• Most assists in a single FIFA World Cup: 7 assists — 2026 FIFA World Cup (breaking Pelé’s 1970 record)
• 2026 Ballon d’Or contender

Personal Life: Private, Multicultural, and Driven

Michael Olise is intensely private about his personal life. He keeps his family and romantic relationships completely away from the public eye.

His brother, Richard Olise, is also a footballer and has represented England at youth level.

Michael holds citizenship in four countries — England, France, Nigeria, and Algeria — but chose France for his senior international career. This choice reflects his deep personal connection to French culture, instilled by his mother’s French-Algerian heritage.

He is left-footed, stands at 184 cm (6 feet tall), and wears the number 17 shirt at Bayern Munich.