Olise ‘lights up’ Madrid
The Frenchman, with five assists, knows how to activate Mbappé like few others. After his display at the Bernabéu, he will be judged again in the semifinal.
Michael Olise has registered five assists at the 2026 World Cup, leaving him just one shy of Pelé’s all-time tournament record. Those five assists put him comfortably clear of every other player and underline his status as the competition’s finest creator. Despite this being his first World Cup, the 24-year-old has already set an extraordinarily high standard.
The Bayern Munich star is firmly establishing himself among the world’s elite after a remarkable season. He won both the Bundesliga and the DFL-Supercup, was named Bayern’s Player of the Season as well as the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season, produced standout performances such as his Champions League display at the Santiago Bernabéu, and could now crown the year by lifting the World Cup.
His performances have also strengthened his reputation as one of Real Madrid’s leading transfer targets as the club continues to shape its new project. Many view him as the missing Galáctico. That is why all eyes will once again be on him, with matches like today’s potentially playing a major role in determining his future.
Olise has demonstrated throughout this World Cup that he is an exceptionally versatile player who combines seamlessly with France’s other stars. Unlike at Bayern, where he operates as an inverted winger cutting in from the right, Didier Deschamps has deployed him as an attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 system.
The Frenchman has shown he is just as effective in central areas as he is out wide. His influence on France’s play has been immense. Across 488 minutes, he has completed 87% of his passes, with 260 successful passes overall, while creating 14 chances.
He also leads France in completed line-breaking passes with 25 and has developed a superb understanding with Kylian Mbappé, who has scored eight goals at this World Cup. Three of Mbappé’s goals have been assisted by Olise, meaning the Real Madrid forward has been the recipient of three of his five assists. It is a partnership that has thrilled France and one that inevitably excites Real Madrid supporters, with the prospect of seeing the pair together at club level looking potentially devastating.
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