Michael Olise has been playing in a league of his own at FC Bayern for months. The Frenchman is the linchpin of the Munich attack, delivering goals, assists and decisive actions time and again. Nevertheless, individual brilliance alone is not enough to get to the very top – at least not according to Lothar Matthäus
In his latest Sky column, the record-breaking German international has taken a detailed look at the question of whether Olise has what it takes to become a world footballer. The answer is a nuanced one. Matthäus does not question talent, form and influence on the game – but he does question the decisive factor that ultimately decides the big individual awards
Titles are the key for Matthäus
„Can Olise be the future world footballer? It’s only January, the decisive phase of the season is still to come, there’s a World Cup in the summer. I can’t look into the crystal ball,“ Matthäus wrote. The decisive addition follows immediately: „If he doesn’t win a major title, it will be very difficult to become a world footballer.“
For Matthäus, one thing is clear: world-class performances in the Bundesliga are not enough to be voted the best player in the world. Titles on the biggest stage are crucial – especially in the Champions League and at the World Cup. „If another player wins the Champions League and the World Cup, Olise can score ten more goals for FC Bayern,“ said the 64-year-old
Comparison with Dembélé as a reminder
Matthäus used a prominent comparison to back up his thesis: Ousmane Dembélé, the current world footballer, had „only played a really good six months“, but had become champion with Paris Saint-Germain and won the Champions League. It was precisely these successes that were decisive in the end
„It’s all about the successes with the team,“ Matthäus made clear. A 5:1 victory for Bayern in Leipzig or a dominant first half of the Bundesliga season may impress fans and experts, but it hardly plays a role in the vote for world footballer. „The people who vote for the world footballer are not interested if Bayern wins 5:1 in Leipzig. They are interested in the successes in the Champions League and at the World Cup.“
Olise’s numbers speak for themselves
In sporting terms, Olise is currently delivering everything you would expect from a world-class player. In 18 Bundesliga games, the 23-year-old has already scored 23 direct goals, ten goals and 13 assists. Hardly any other attacking player in Europe is currently so consistent and efficient. Under Vincent Kompany, Olise has developed into a fixture in the record champions‘ game – flexible, creative and ice-cold in finishing
But this is exactly where Matthäus comes in. The season so far is only the basis, not the goal. „The decisive factors will be results and titles in the next six months,“ says the 1991 world footballer. Only when Olise confirms his performances in the knockout phase of the Champions League and plays a leading role with France at the World Cup will the really big individual award realistically be within reach
The stage is set
The starting position is clear for FC Bayern and Michael Olise. The record champions are dominating at will at national level, but the real test is yet to come at international level. This is where it will be decided whether Olise „only“ plays an outstanding season – or takes the final step into the circle of the absolute world elite
Matthäus‘ conclusion is therefore less of a brake than a benchmark. Olise has everything it takes. All that’s missing now are the titles.