Spoken-singing superstar Michael Olise makes history
In the Stade de France, France's fans cheered when, in the 60th minute, the game against Belgium was still 0-1 and coach Zinedine Zidane announced loudly “It’s time for Michael Olise”. The 24‑year‑old FC Bayern superstar responded immediately, scored two goals, provided an assist and made history.
During the match against Belgium, France were trailing 0-1 in the 60th minute. Coach Zinedine Zidane shouted: “It’s time for Michael Olise”. Desire Doue equalised immediately, before Olise scored two goals within ten minutes and added an assist to the 4-1 final score.
Records and personal record
Olise thus became the first player to provide ten assists for the French national team in a calendar year. He is also the first to be directly involved in at least one goal in each of the first four matches under a new national coach. Overall, he was involved in six of the seven goals so far under Zidane.
After 29 international caps, Olise has eleven goals and twelve assists. In the current Nations League phase, France have secured two wins against Belgium, one win against Turkey and a draw against Italy, thus leading the group convincingly.
An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet
When Olise entered the pitch, the fans in the Stade de France shouted loudly: “Olise Ballon d’Or! Olise Ballon d’Or!”. When asked in a TV interview, Olise replied simply: “I have nothing to say about it.” Zidane added: “What he does is simply extraordinary.”
Ballon d’Or and club perspective
The Ballon d’Or will be awarded on October 26 at the London Palladium Theatre. The favorites are the Spanish world champion Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona and the English striker Harry Kane of FC Bayern. Olise is considered only a dark horse, as the evaluation period already ended with the World Cup final.
Olise now returns to FC Bayern and will face FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga next Saturday. His performances for the Munich club have been as spectacular this season as they have been for the national team.
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In his first seven league matches for FC Bayern, he scored eight goals and provided four assists, underscoring his offensive power.