The Frenchman has stood out with his performances at the Bavarians, drawing interest from the Spanish giants
Luis Figo has identified Michael Olise as a future Ballon d’Or winner, but he doesn’t expect the Frenchman to join Real Madrid amid interest rumours.
The Bavarian giants have enjoyed a period of immense encouraging success this spring, having officially secured the Bundesliga title on April 19.
There is a palpable sense of positive momentum within the squad as they set their sights on a potential treble, including the Champions League, where they are preparing to face PSG in the semi finals.
While the team’s collective performance has been a source of major pride, the individual brilliance of Olise has become a primary topic of discussion among European football’s most respected figures.
It has now been suggested that the 24-year-old winger has elevated himself into the top tier of world football, making him a central figure in the conversation for individual accolades.
Olise has been in sensational form throughout the 2025/26 campaign, recording 18 goals and providing 29 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
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Figo, a former Ballon d’Or recipient himself, was quick to highlight the impact of the London-born attacker following Bayern’s progression in the Champions League.
“Michael Olise is an incredible player who made the difference in the tie and is having an amazing year,” Figo said at the Laureus World Sports Awards. “He’ll soon be one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or individually, although the team’s performance also counts. It’s a positive surprise.”
Figo dismisses Real Madrid rumours despite elite recognition
Despite the inevitable speculation linking Europe’s top performers with a move to the Spanish capital, Figo downplayed the likelihood of the Frenchman leaving the Allianz Arena in the near future.
He noted that Bayern’s status as a continental powerhouse makes any potential exit complicated, particularly given the value they have derived from the player since his $62 million move from Crystal Palace in 2024.
“It will be difficult for him to join Real Madrid; he’s already at a very big club in Europe, and it will be complicated for him to leave,” Figo noted. “It’s clear that he was one of Bayern’s best signings in relation to what he cost.”
The Bavarians are scheduled to face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals on Wednesday, a fixture that remains a major focus for a team intent on domestic dominance.
With the 2026 World Cup also looming, where Olise is expected to be a cornerstone of the France national team alongside Kylian Mbappé, the opportunity to secure both club and international silverware has placed him at the throne of world football.