A public verdict on the contenders
Madrid. Laureus Awards 2026. Luis Figo weighs in on the current pecking order in world football. The 2000 Ballon d’Or winner runs the rule over the leading names for this year’s prize. One specific remark puts Michael Olise in the spotlight.
The France international is playing for Bayern Munich. The Bavarian club are preparing for their continental semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. The attacking midfielder delivered a major statistical and tactical impact in the previous round against Real Madrid.
The prospect of another French winner
The verdict from the former Portugal international is blunt. Olise is now in the tight group of immediate challengers for the game’s top individual award. This is not some long-range prediction; it is a straight read on this year’s race.
Could France keep the trophy? The 2025 winner, Ousmane Dembele, may be followed straight away by a teammate from the same nation. Figo’s assessment backs up Olise’s all-round output. The football logic is simple enough: strong individual numbers, plus a serious lift to Bayern’s overall performance.
An institutional contract lock
The discussion also turned to the player’s contract situation. Talk of a possible move to Real Madrid comes with plenty of caution attached. A deal of that size would be anything but straightforward.
Bayern’s hierarchy are firmly against any negotiations. The player’s record — 15 caps for France, 4 goals — helps explain that stance. The original outlay by the German board is being hailed by the former Real Madrid man as a smart piece of business.
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