Zinedine Zidane has defended Michael Olise’s reserved personality away from football, while praising the Bayern Munich winger’s influence on the pitch.
The France manager was speaking at a press conference before Monday’s Nations League meeting with Belgium at Stade de France. The match is part of the competition’s fourth round.
“Michael is a little reserved and shy off the pitch, but that is not a problem,” Zidane said. “Because on the pitch he is not shy at all. He is a natural leader through the way he plays.”
The France great added: “He shows all his talent with the ball. He has established himself here for some time and is producing an excellent level for his club.”
Zidane’s comments will not surprise those familiar with Olise’s approach to the media. The player rarely speaks publicly and is known to avoid unnecessary appearances.
In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, Olise explained that he preferred to let his football do the talking. He also said he had never enjoyed being in the spotlight.
His familiar celebration, in which he places one finger over his lips and another to his ear, has been interpreted as a message that he does not listen to criticism and chooses to remain silent.
One of Olise’s earliest notable moments came during his time at Crystal Palace. After scoring the winning goal against West Ham, he gave an extremely brief interview, summarising the goal by saying that a team-mate had passed him the ball, before he shot and scored.
The issue attracted renewed attention several weeks ago when Olise scored twice and set up another goal in Bayern Munich’s 5-0 Champions League victory over Bodo/Glimt.
Asked about his performance afterwards, he gave a series of short answers that some interpreted as disrespectful.
“I don’t know. I shoot, and the ball either goes in or it doesn’t,” Olise said. “I’m not the only one who scores goals.”
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany and sporting director Max Eberl subsequently defended the player.
Eberl said young people on TikTok and other social media platforms particularly admired Olise “because he behaves naturally”.
Zidane’s endorsement offers further support for a player whose low-key public manner contrasts sharply with his confidence and authority during matches.
