Former France and Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol has made an emphatic statement about Michael Olise, declaring that the winger has already surpassed every other player in world football. According to Sagnol, the 24-year-old’s selfless approach to the game places him above icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sagnol’s Ballon d’Or statement

As the 2026 World Cup intensifies, Olise has become the standout performer for Les Bleus, and Sagnol is certain that the individual honours will soon follow. In an interview with BILD about Olise’s current form, the former defender said: “Olise is the best player in the world, far ahead of everyone else. If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, then something is seriously wrong with football.”

The Georgia national team coach, who enjoyed a trophy-laden career at the Allianz Arena, pointed out that fans of all generations in France have rallied around the winger. Sagnol even added that he and other former professionals can relate more to Olise’s playing style than to any other modern star, considering him the undisputed number one in world football right now.

Better than Messi and Ronaldo?

In a bold comparison, Sagnol argued that Olise embodies a more “pure” team-oriented philosophy than the global superstars who have dominated the sport for the past twenty years. He elaborated: “Olise is purely a team player, not an individualist. For our children, he is finally a wonderful role model... To put it simply, Olise doesn’t care whether he scores or assists. You can tell that he never plays for himself, but always looks for what benefits the team.” He continued, “Zinedine Zidane was exactly the same. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who ruled world football over the last 15 years, tend to play more for themselves and for their statistics. Nothing against Ronaldo and Messi—they are phenomenal. But Olise is a genuine team player.”

The Mbappe and Real Madrid connection

The glowing praise for Olise comes amid strong rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Reports indicate that the Spanish giants are preparing a record-breaking offer to unite him with Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu. While Mbappe continues to be the face of French football, Sagnol believes that their priorities differ greatly, both on and off the pitch.

“Mbappe is more centred on himself, his career, and his goals. That’s why he sometimes faces criticism,” Sagnol remarked, though he also backed the Real Madrid star to finish as the top scorer at the World Cup. Mbappe, in turn, has openly praised Olise, highlighting the “elegance and vision” that the former Crystal Palace attacker brings to the French national team.

Dayot Upamecano’s rise reminiscent of Lucio

Olise isn’t the only Bayern Munich player to earn Sagnol’s admiration during this tournament. Defender Dayot Upamecano has also impressed with his commanding physical presence and improved technical assurance. Sagnol likened the centre-back to one of his past teammates at Bayern, underlining how highly he rates the current generation of French players.

“In terms of style, he’s like my old Bayern teammate, Lucio. The Brazilian was a powerhouse on the field—physically unstoppable,” Sagnol observed. “Upamecano is committing far fewer technical errors now than he did a year ago and has made noticeable progress both at Bayern and with the national team.” With Upamecano solidifying the defence and Olise orchestrating the attack, Les Bleus appear well-poised to banish the disappointment of 2022 and reclaim their place at the top of the footballing world.