Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise is primed to announce himself as a global superstar at this summer's World Cup, according to former France international Gaël Clichy — even as his club prepares for a transfer battle with Real Madrid.
Clichy, who worked with the 24-year-old as assistant coach to Thierry Henry at the Paris Olympics, believes Olise can replicate the tournament-defining rise of Kylian Mbappé in 2018. “This summer, I hope another France player, Michael Olise, can do the same in the US, Canada and Mexico,” Clichy said. “Everyone knows Michael quite well already … but this is his first World Cup and he has only played 16 games for France so far.”
“Clichy tips Olise to be World Cup breakout star as Bayern face Real Madrid transfer battle.”
Olise moved to Bayern from Crystal Palace ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Clichy recalled that before those Games, “I don't think many people in France really knew him”. The Olympics final, which France lost, could have been his moment, Clichy noted, “but the World Cup is something different”. Olise has scored four goals in 16 senior appearances for Les Bleus, including one in a 2-0 World Cup qualifier win over Ukraine in September 2025.
Clichy, now a manager himself, will be a pundit for BBC Sport at the tournament. “He is the player I am most looking forward to seeing … showing everyone exactly what he can do,” he said. “If he can take the season he has just had for Bayern, and bring his magic to the World Cup, then he will be seen as one of the very best that we have in France. And, if he performs as well as he can do, then the team will perform well too.”
But off the pitch, Bayern are bracing for a tug-of-war over Olise. Real Madrid are preparing a bid after election results were revealed, with the Bundesliga champions set to do battle as Los Blancos eye the forward. The 24-year-old, who has also been praised by Clichy for his character — “I know how good he is, and what a top guy he is too” — could find himself at the centre of a major transfer saga even as he aims to light up the World Cup.
Clichy also highlighted another Olympic teammate, Rayan Cherki, as a potential impact player. “From watching him closely, he is an incredible talent,” Clichy said. “He was not the complete player then … but I can understand why.” Cherki, like Olise, was in the under-23 squad that reached the Olympic final.
For now, Olise’s immediate focus is the World Cup. Whether he can emulate Mbappé’s 2018 breakthrough — and whether his club future will be resolved before or after the tournament — remains to be seen.