Michael Olise reveals the best football experience of his life – as the Bayern Munich and France star names the football legend who inspired his creativity

Michael Olise has opened up on the best football experience of his life that led him to being coached by the French icon that first inspired his creativity.

Olise has been flying at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich after getting his big move from Crystal Palace last summer, where he established himself as one of the stars of the future.

While eligible to represent England, Olise opted to try his luck getting in the ever-stacked France setup – and was called up to the squad by Didier Deschamps last August for the first time.

But it was a couple months prior that the 23-year-old experienced what he brands as the high point of his professional career so far.

‘The Olympics were the best football experience of my life,’ he told L’Equipe. ‘It was fantastic, especially in France. 

‘We did a lot of preparatory work leading up to the competition, the team was able to come together and move forward together. We were close. Traveling around the country, I felt a fervor, the power of being at home. 

Olise has named his Olympic experience at Paris 2024 as the high point of his career so far

The Frenchman was coached by football icon Thierry Henry, who inspired his creativity

‘From the start, we told ourselves we had to do something solid. Everyone gave their all in every match. 

‘I don’t know if I was very well-known in France before that. I had only played with the youth teams, but I think the Games allowed people to get to know me.’

Competing at a home Games in Paris, Olise starred for the youthful French side and finished the competition with two goals and five assists, as well as a silver medal to boot – just missing out on gold to Spain.

The Olympics also provided him the chance to be coached by one of his idols, a France legend that encouraged his creative side.

That man was Thierry Henry, whose inspiration along with that of Lionel Messi and Neymar helped Olise shape his own version of the modern winger.

“Titi, a legend,’ Olise added. ‘I was able to learn new aspects that I integrated into my game, understand his vision. 

‘We have a similar understanding of football. Often, I saw how he thought about something, he was interested in how I saw things, and we would discuss all that.’

Olise has been a regular fixture in a daunting Bayern Munich side during his first season in Germany, scoring 13 and assisting 11 in 39 appearances across all competitions.