Michael Olise passed through the mixed zone of the MetLife Stadium after the victory against Senegal almost incognito. As usual, almost camouflaged between the tracksuit and his hoodie and his handbag. It is a very common image of France’s new star, a very different phenomenon in Les Bleus. In one of the teams that is always very culturally diverse, a player of English origin was yet to be welcomed. He is the first of British origin to wear the France shirt despite the failed attempts of the English Federation and Southgate himself, former coach, to change his mind after having already made his way in the under 18 or under 21 in Calirefontaine.
Olise is no stranger to Real Madrid’s interest. However, it will be difficult for it to emit any signal, especially during the World Cup. Outwardly, the player offers a very different face than among his teammates, the same thing that happens to him at Bayern. “Kompany has played a fundamental role in his evolution. Michael has had an exceptional season, demonstrating efficiency and character. Today, he is one of the best players in the world, but media attention is not his thing. What matters to him is the field; That’s where he wants to live his life,” Deschamps commented at this rally.
So Madrid has in mind a galactic player on the field of play, but very far from the glamor of other stars like Vinicius or Mbappé, whose brand conditions even the clubs themselves, and even more so if compared to the era of Beckkam or Ronaldo, always in focus also off the field of play.
Henry, who knows him well since he counted on him for the Paris Olympic Games, has delved into this profile of Olise. “We all know he knows how to dribble. He has his own vision of the game and of life, which is why people sometimes have a hard time understanding him off the field. But he is a great kid, a very nice guy.” And inside the locker room the player is much more communicative and joking despite his shyness.
The best example of his audacity in privacy occurred during his first concentration in France, at the beginning of September 2024.. It is tradition for the debutante to sing something in front of all his classmates. And Olise rapped in front of everyone an American hip-hop song (Feed the Streets, by Roddy Ricch) instead of a classic French song, lor that caused Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga to laugh, surprised by the player’s audacity.
No brands or sponsors
Olise has not wanted to tie herself to any sports brand and plans to continue in the same way despite the impact it is generating. He likes to be free in that sense and not be told what clothes or glasses to wear. He likes to wear Nike boots from ten years ago.
He did not play for any French club and improves his language
Olise has four nationalities: Nigerian from her father, French and Algerian from her mother, and English from her place of birth. It was his mother and the efforts of the French Federation that weighed most at the time of his election. He is the third international player who has not played for any club in France after Griezmann, Lucas Hernández and Laporte. What does distinguish him from the rest is that all his training was in England. A brief time in the Arsenal academy at the age of 7, Chelsea (from 7 to 14), City at 15 and, finally, Reading to make his professional debut before ending up at Crystal Palace.
Already in the Premier, no one can ignore the projection of this winger. Manchester United tries, as does Chelsea, but the player opts for Bayern. What is coming is already well known. Now Madrid wants him.
