Michael Akpovie Olise was born on 12 December 2001. He is a professional footballer. He plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich. He plays for the France national team.
Olise came through various English academies. He made his professional debut for Reading in 2019. In 2021, he signed for Crystal Palace. He spent three seasons there. In 2024, he was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year. He then moved to Bayern Munich.
Olise represented France at youth level. He was in their squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics. He made his senior debut for France in September 2024. On 29 August 2024, he was called up to the senior France squad for the first time. He made his debut on 6 September 2024 against Italy. He started the game and played 58 minutes. France lost 3–1.
On 23 March 2025, he scored his first senior goal for France. It came in a 2–0 win over Croatia. He also recorded an assist. The goal helped France overturn a two-goal deficit. They advanced to the next stage of the Nations League.
On 11 May 2026, he was named in France’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. On 8 June 2026, he scored his first international hat-trick. It came in a 3–1 friendly win over Northern Ireland. He made his World Cup debut against Senegal. He provided an assist and earned Man of the Match honours. France won 3–1.
5 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Michael Olise
A ‘Mr. Nonchalant’ Routine of Sleeping in His Car
During his early days at Reading, Olise lived with his family in London and would leave at 5:30 AM to beat traffic. He’d arrive hours early and fall asleep in his car. His coach recalled: “We had to rap on the glass and wake him for the session.” Bayern fans have since dubbed him ‘Mr Nonchalant’ for his famously laid-back demeanour.
A Menace as a Youth Player, Kicked Out of Multiple Academies
Olise spent seven years at Chelsea’s academy before being released at 14 for persistent misbehaviour. He then lasted only “three or four weeks” at Manchester City. His antics included pouring water on teammates’ beds and once, when told to “come here or go back inside,” he simply kicked the ball in the air and walked inside himself.
Wore a Manchester United Shirt to His Chelsea Trial
At just seven years old, Olise was preparing for a trial at Chelsea, but he issued an ultimatum to his family: he would only go if he could wear his Manchester United shirt. So there he was, trialling for one of Chelsea’s fiercest rivals while proudly sporting their colours. A sign of the maverick personality that would define his early career.
An Avid Chess Player with a Rating of 1400
Olise is a serious chess enthusiast with a rating of around 1400, a solid level for an ambitious amateur. His goal is to reach 1500, though he admitted: “Chess is difficult.” He also revealed that Bayern teammate Jamal Musiala recently beat him, though Olise couldn’t resist a dig: “He’s not as good as I am, but he beat me. I wasn’t really focused.” A footballer with a chess mind.
Four Nationalities and a Cricket-Playing Father
Michael Olise was born in London to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, making him eligible for England, France, Algeria, or Nigeria. He chose France, saying: “My mother is from France… It’s been my dream since I was a kid.” His father, Vincent, was a national cricket player for Nigeria. Olise himself plays cricket and ping-pong, hobbies he credits to his father’s influence. A true multicultural talent.
FAQs
Q. Which club does Michael Olise play for?
A. Michael Olise plays for Bayern Munich.
Q. Which national team does Michael Olise represent?
A. Olise represents the France national team.
Q. Where did Michael Olise make his professional debut?
A. Olise made his professional debut for Reading in 2019.
Q. When did Michael Olise make his senior debut for France?
A. Olise made his senior debut for France on 6 September 2024 against Italy.
Q. What did Michael Olise achieve on his FIFA World Cup debut in 2026?
A. Olise provided an assist and helped France beat Senegal 3–1.
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