How does Michael Olise put himself in the Ballon d’Or frame at Bayern Munich?

A left-footed winger cutting the ball from the right side? It seems normal at Bayern Munich.

It was once Arjen Robben’s trademark, and is now owned by Michael Olise.

Bayern enters the second leg of the round of 16 with Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday with a 6-1 lead.

This was thanks to the 24-year-old’s impressive performance in the first leg, when he scored two goals and provided an assist.

The display was in keeping with Olise’s impressive form since joining from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024 – no one in Europe’s top five leagues has more than 23 assists in all competitions this season, and no winger can top his 38 goalscoring contributions.

No wonder he is now talked about as one of the best players on the planet.

“It’s good to hear that but there’s still half the season left, so I’m focusing on the team and the team trophies now,” the Frenchman said of the prospect of a Ballon d’Or after impressing in Bergamo.

He may have a quiet demeanor and a soft playing style, but behind the calm exterior lies a steely resolve.

“I don’t want to compare players because they are not the same, but… [he has] mentality [former Manchester City player] “Kevin De Bruyne when I played with him,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said after the Atalanta match.

“I’ve been fortunate to watch him develop as a young player and become a star. I’ve seen the whole process and that’s Michael’s obsession with detail.”