Bayern Munich winger Olise discussed growth, choosing the French national team, Champions League losses, and his personal character in an interview, Highsnobiety reported.
The 24-year-old Bayern Munich winger, Olise, also a French international, might be one of the best players in world football today, or at least one of the most talked about and sought-after. Bayern signed him in 2024 for an alleged $58 million, and he is expected to deliver a standout performance with France at the World Cup this summer.
Olise arrived at a beautiful shooting location in the 15th arrondissement of Paris with only two people. No agent team, no publicist, and no small team that players of his caliber usually bring, only two companions.
Olise was introduced to Jürgen Teller, a renowned German photographer who is also a loyal Bayern fan. Olise politely nodded, then enthusiastically shook his hand, which seemed to be his approach to most situations. Teller appeared excited and began to talk about the Champions League loss from the previous week. Bayern, Olise's team, had lost to Paris Saint-Germain, a match many considered one of the most exciting football games of the past decade.
Olise was dressed in black that day, which for him felt less like a color choice and more like a worldview. His style is bold, distinctive, and unique, not the typical flamboyance of athletes, but a confidence that comes from knowing what he likes and wearing it directly. He doesn't need external validation, which makes him all the more noteworthy.
He was relaxed, even cheerful. After meeting Teller, he shook hands with more people. He picked out clothes and video-called his stylist friend, Billz, holding up a jacket and asking, "Is this cool enough?" His friend said no. So the jacket stayed.
Then, Olise sat down, waiting for the questions to begin. The questions touched on chess, philosophy, and what it feels like when the outside world mistakes your silence for coldness, your calmness for arrogance, and your disinterest in content exposure for a lack of personality. The football world wants noise, but Olise gives nothing. Football hasn't yet understood that this is precisely the point.
I have read every interview he has given, all four of them. I have also watched videos where journalists ask him about his goals, and he replies with an almost shrug, "Shot, it went in." And so on. The internet has labeled him mysterious, composed, a riddle in long-sleeved jerseys and color-matched boots. But the person sitting across from me is relaxed. He laughs and genuinely considers questions before answering, which is rare enough. He is not mysterious; he just doesn't feel the need to say anything he doesn't truly believe. When I asked about his social media strategy, he explained, "If I want to post, I post. If I don't want to post, I don't. It's completely natural."
Olise was born in London to a Nigerian father and a mother of French and Algerian descent. Before the age of 15, he played in the youth academies of Chelsea and Manchester City, while also representing France at the youth level. Later, he restarted his career in amateur football, playing for Reading, Crystal Palace, and finally transferring to Bayern.
Later that day, Olise will receive the Best French Player Abroad award from the French Professional Footballers' Union. He didn't proactively mention this. I only found out when someone casually brought it up. His acceptance speech will also be very brief, almost a routine expression: "My goal this season is to win everything with France and Bayern. That's it."
Speaking about the start of his football career, Olise said: "I started playing football at the age of 6 for a local team in West London. After that, I might have spent some time in Islington. From 7 to 14, I was at Chelsea, and then a short period at Manchester City. I played for Reading for three years, where I made my breakthrough. Then three years at Crystal Palace. Now it's Bayern. Football has been my whole life."
Regarding his brother Richard, who currently plays for Chelsea, Olise said: "Honestly, we never talk about football. Both of us are too invested in football. We talk about life. When you encounter setbacks, treat them as a lesson. Use that time to grow. There are always people going through worse things than you, so there's no time to complain. Process what has happened and then move on."
Olise has a Japanese tattoo that means "a little more each day." He said: "This came from a conversation I had at Crystal Palace's training ground. A coach talked about this philosophy. Later, I looked it up. It's about improving little by little every day until you reach a certain level. I identify with this philosophy."
Speaking about the difference between high-level players, Olise said: "It's the details. Those extra one or two percent can help you in specific situations on the pitch. Always striving to improve, that's the main goal."
Bayern coach Kompany once called Olise very intelligent and said he seems to slow everything down on the pitch. Olise commented: "Perhaps my playing style makes things seem to slow down. But when I'm on the field, I don't know if things actually slow down. It's muscle memory. I primarily play on instinct."
Regarding his rare goal celebrations, Olise said: "I'm not a particularly emotional person. My reactions are different from others."
Olise could have chosen to represent Nigeria, Algeria, England, or France. He explained his choice to play for France: "The players I looked up to when I was young were all French: Zidane, Thierry Henry, Ribéry. And I always came to France when I was young. It felt more natural."
Speaking about his mother, Olise said: "Now we mostly speak French all the time. And we don't argue."
If he could only live in one city forever, disregarding football, Olise would choose London. He said: "When I'm in London, I feel at home."
Olise once stated that participating in the Olympics was the best experience of his football career. He explained: "It's hard to compare club football with national team football. First, it was in France, and we had the home crowd support. As a footballer, you rarely get the chance to participate in the Olympics. Playing with players I grew up with, and the coaches, Thierry Henry. It was a great experience."
Speaking about when the loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals stopped replaying in his mind, Olise said: "From the moment the final whistle blows, it starts replaying. You need time to process it. You have to learn how to do better. Then you move on. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Don't dwell on it, but grow from it. Not just saying 'Okay, we lost,' but asking 'Why? What did I do?'"
When asked who dresses best in the locker room, Olise said: "At Bayern, it's Tah. For the French team, I'd say Ekitike."
Asked whose style he admires, Olise said: "Rocky was the first person I noticed. After that, I'm not so sure. I don't really follow trends."
Speaking about his phone wallpaper, Olise said: "Bugs Bunny, with some cash next to him, some blunt objects, and a gun in his pocket." He laughed as he said it.
When asked about the music he listened to on the way to the shoot, Olise said it was Travis Scott's "Days Before Rodeo."
Olise once ranked Playboi Carti as his favorite rapper, and there are videos showing him bringing a speaker playing Carti's music to training. Speaking about why he likes Carti, Olise said: "I've been listening to him since I was a kid. I always seem to go back to his music. I also like Dave, and my friend Terio."
Regarding his chess skill level, Olise said: "Around 1400. Between 1300 and 1400. I want to reach 1500. Chess is hard."
When asked about the last person to beat him in chess, Olise said: "Musiala. He's not better than me, but he beat me. I wasn't focused enough."
Asked what else he is particularly good at besides football, Olise replied: "Table tennis, and cricket. My father was a national-level cricketer for Nigeria."
Asked if he's a sore loser, Olise said: "It depends on who the opponent is. I never want to lose to my brother, and I don't want to lose to my mom."
Speaking about what his mother is better at than him, Olise said: "She's very good at cards. She also introduced me to chess when I was young. And... life experience. She's always sending me quotes and things like that. Some things I might think of myself, but no one has ever really told me. She helps keep me balanced and grounded."
