How Michael Olise went from Man City rejection to Ballon d'Or contender
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Michael Olise overcame setbacks at Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City before breaking through at Reading.
- The Bayern Munich star scored 25 goals and provided 28 assists in 2025/26.
- Olise earned Ballon d'Or chants from France fans after starring against Belgium.
The 24-year-old has established himself among the most exciting attacking players in world football, producing outstanding numbers in Germany and becoming an increasingly influential figure for France.
His rise is a reminder that setbacks in youth football do not have to define a player's career. In Olise's case, experiences that threatened to derail his development have become part of a story of resilience, patience and exceptional talent.
Michael Olise receives Ballon d'Or backing from France fans
Olise's growing reputation was evident during France's 4-1 victory over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League, when supporters were heard chanting, "Olise Ballon d'Or."With established names such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane part of the wider conversation around football's biggest individual honours, Olise's emergence adds another intriguing dimension to the debate.
His performances for Bayern have also strengthened his reputation as one of the leading attacking talents of his generation.
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Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City all passed on Olise
Olise's path to professional football could easily have taken a different direction.According to his former Reading coach, José Gomes, the winger spent time in Arsenal's academy before leaving because he struggled to adapt.
Chelsea subsequently released him, with Gomes suggesting that concerns about his attendance and commitment to education contributed to the decision.
His experience at Manchester City proved particularly difficult. Gomes recalled the challenges Olise faced during his time in the club's youth system, explaining that his physical development became a source of ridicule among team-mates.
When the fitness coach told them to do push-ups, he struggled a lot, and his team-mates mocked him. He felt humiliated and left.For a young player still developing physically, such experiences could have seriously damaged his confidence. Instead, Olise continued searching for an environment where he could develop his abilities.
He left City's academy in January 2017 and joined Reading, where he finally found an opportunity to demonstrate his potential.
Reading gave Olise the platform to flourish
Olise's move to Reading proved to be a significant turning point.The winger developed rapidly in the Championship, displaying the technical ability, creativity and close control that would later become his trademarks.
His performances attracted attention from Premier League clubs, with Crystal Palace securing his signature in July 2021.
At Selhurst Park, Olise developed into one of the division's most dangerous attacking players. His ability to create chances, beat defenders and contribute goals made him a favourite among Palace supporters.
The club provided the platform he needed to establish himself in English football before Bayern came calling.
His subsequent move to Germany has taken his career to another level.
Olise's remarkable record at Bayern Munich
Olise has become a key component of Bayern's attack, combining his individual creativity with impressive end product.The following figures were supplied for his Bayern career:
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 114 |
| Starts | 94 |
| Goals | 50 |
| Assists | 58 |
Note: Figures are based on the supplied source material and should be checked against current match records before publication.
His partnership with Kane has been particularly exciting, giving Bayern a combination of clinical finishing and creative invention in the final third.
Olise's performances have also elevated his standing internationally, with the winger increasingly viewed as one of France's most important attacking options.
Zinedine Zidane praises Olise's exceptional performances
Olise's growing influence has attracted praise from some of football's biggest names.Following his brace in France's comeback victory over Belgium, Zinedine Zidane offered a glowing assessment of his performances.
What he does is just exceptional.Such praise reflects the excitement surrounding Olise's development, although sustained performances at the highest level will ultimately determine whether he can challenge for football's most prestigious individual awards.
At Bayern, he has the opportunity to compete for major trophies whilst continuing to build his reputation on the international stage.
Michael Olise's advice to young footballers
Perhaps the most valuable part of Olise's story is the lesson it offers aspiring professionals.Youth academies can be unforgiving environments. Players mature at different rates, and those who struggle physically or fail to fit a particular system can find themselves overlooked before their potential has fully emerged.
Olise's experience demonstrates why an early rejection should not automatically be treated as a final judgement on a player's ability.
In an interview with fashion outlet Highsnobiety, Olise offered advice on dealing with setbacks.
When you have a setback, take it as a lesson. Use it as time to grow.The message is straightforward: acknowledge disappointment, learn from the experience and focus on what comes next.
Someone always has something worse than what you are experiencing. There is no time to complain. Digest what happened, then move on.
Olise's progression from academy rejection to starring for one of Europe’s biggest clubs gives that advice considerable weight.
Could Michael Olise win the Ballon d'Or?
Olise has the technical quality, creativity and statistical output to enter future Ballon d'Or conversations seriously.However, winning the award requires more than individual brilliance. Team success, performances in major competitions, consistency across the season and the strength of the competition all influence the final outcome.
His position at Bayern gives him a strong platform to pursue those ambitions. If he continues producing goals and assists whilst helping the club win major honours, his candidacy could become increasingly difficult to ignore.
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