Oliver Kahn, iconic goalkeeper for Bayern Munich and the German national team, has named Michael Olise as one of his favorites for the Ballon d’Or as the end of the season approaches.
Ousmane Dembele may have a successor in a fellow countryman. Michael Olise, a key player in Bayern Munich’s qualification for the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid on Wednesday (a 4-3 victory in the quarter-final second leg, 6-4 on aggregate), is already a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. The French attacking midfielder has also become a key player for the French national team, where he is expected to be a key starter during the upcoming World Cup this summer (June 11 – July 19).
Oliver Kahn, legendary goalkeeper for Bayern (632 matches) and Germany (86 caps), strongly believes in Olise’s chances. “When you see his performances in recent weeks, Michael Olise is definitely on track for the Ballon d’Or,” he said in an interview with Sky Sport Germany. Kahn himself finished 3rd in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2001 and 2002.
Olise, 24, has impressive statistics of 18 goals and 25 assists in 43 matches for Bayern this season. The Munich team, on course for another Bundesliga title, and still in contention in the German Cup, will face PSG in the Champions League semi-finals (April 28 and May 6).
