Move over Kylian Mbappé; there’s a new Frenchman stealing the spotlight on the European stage. In a season where the world expected the usual names to dominate, Michael Olise has pulled off a stunning upset, officially being named the Best French Player Abroad for 2025/26.
Beating out a heavy-hitting shortlist that included Mbappé (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), and William Saliba (Arsenal), Olise’s rise at Bayern Munich has been nothing short of legendary.
Breaking Records in Bavaria
Since his move from Crystal Palace, Olise hasn’t just adapted to German football—il l’a conquis (he conquered it). His debut season at the Allianz Arena has produced numbers that look like they belong in a video game:
• 22 goals and 28 assists across all competitions.
• Top Provider: He finished the season as the leading assist-maker in both the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League.
• Bayern’s Favorite: He scooped up the FC Bayern Player of the Month award four times this season (August, January, March, and April), even overtaking Harry Kane in the fan votes.
What makes Olise special is his “ice-cold” composure. Whether it was his stoppage-time winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals or his masterclass in the DFB-Pokal against Leverkusen, he has become the man Bayern turns to when the pressure is highest.
The Missing Piece for Les Bleus?
With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, Didier Deschamps finally has the playmaker he’s been dreaming of. While Mbappé provides the raw pace and finishing, Olise provides the “clarity.” His ability to drift into half-spaces and pick out passes that others don’t even see has made him a lock for the French starting XI.
Former France legend Thierry Henry, who coached him during the 2024 Olympics, famously said, “With him, you haven’t seen anything yet.” It turns out Henry was right. At 24, Olise is entering his prime as the most creative force in world football.
