Vieira compares Olise to Platini and Zidane after masterclass against Senegal

Michael Olise was named FIFA Man of the Match after France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal on Tuesday evening in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup. A performance that drew a historic comparison from Patrick Vieira.

The former France captain, 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship winner, made a statement for the ages: “We had Michel Platini, we had Zinedine Zidane, now we have Michael Olise.” Consultant for ITV Football during this World Cup, Vieira is particularly well-placed to judge the Bayern Munich midfielder’s development: it was he who gave Olise his first professional opportunity when managing Crystal Palace.

Vieira’s assessment of Olise’s game goes even further. “He’s a future Ballon d’Or winner. He has everything needed to shine on the world stage: perfect game reading, his way of approaching the game,” he elaborated, also highlighting the player’s ability to “do everything to put his attackers in the best conditions.”

On the pitch, Olise took time to get into the match — as did the entire France team, who were subdued in the first half. It was in the second half, with more freedom, that he made the difference. His assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opening goal was the turning point in a match that the Blues ultimately dominated after the break.

The comparison with Platini and Zidane is obviously dizzying for a player who is only at the beginning of his major international competition career. But Olise’s profile — a creative midfielder capable of influencing the game without being a pure striker — does indeed recall the role these two legends occupied in the French setup at their best. France will face Iraq next Monday in their second group match.