Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise has emerged as one of European football’s most prolific creators this season, and team-mate Dayot Upamecano has told French broadcaster Canal+ he expects the 24-year-old to become a “football legend” and a future Ballon d’Or contender. Olise’s numbers — 16 goals and 28 assists in 40 appearances — have underlined his central role for the Bavarian side since the start of the campaign.
Those figures amount to 44 direct goal contributions in 40 matches, a rate that has drawn plaudits from pundits and supporters as well as from inside Bayern’s dressing room. Upamecano, a France international and one of the club’s defenders, offered particularly glowing praise in his Canal+ interview, saying Olise is “capable of making the difference at any moment” and describing training sessions as a daily reminder of the winger’s threat.
“I see that in training every day, and unfortunately I have to defend against him, which is really painful,” Upamecano said, laughing. “He’s an absolutely amazing player.” The defender highlighted Olise’s temperament off the pitch as much as his technical quality, saying the forward’s work ethic and hunger for success mirror his own and will be key to sustained excellence.
Upamecano did not hesitate when asked whether Olise could one day be in contention for football’s top individual prize. “Yes, definitely in the future!” he replied, adding that the combination of talent and appetite for improvement positions Olise to reach the sport’s very highest levels if he maintains his current approach.
Olise, described in the interview as a former Crystal Palace standout who has since become a focal point for Bayern, has been central to the club’s attacking play this season. His balance of goal-scoring and chance creation has helped reshape the Bavarian side’s offensive patterns and given coach and teammates a reliable match-winner in tight fixtures.
The public endorsement from a senior squad member like Upamecano comes as Olise’s season places him among the continent’s elite creators. If he continues at his current rate, discussions about individual honours and long-term legacy will become harder to dismiss; for now, those inside Bayern appear convinced they are witnessing the rise of a player with the potential to leave a lasting mark on the game.