French football icon Thierry Henry has identified Michael Olise as the most critical member of the national squad, passing over Kylian Mbappe for the title following France’s defeat of Sweden. This Tuesday night win at MetLife Stadium propelled Didier Deschamps’ squad into the World Cup round of 16.
While Mbappe contributed two goals and Bradley Barcola added another to secure the victory, Henry highlighted Olise’s unique impact. Henry, a 1998 World Cup winner, noted that while Mbappe will likely remain the team’s MVP due to his prolific goal-scoring—now matching Lionel Messi’s tally of six in this tournament—Olise is the essential engine behind the team’s success. With five assists in four appearances, Olise leads the tournament in that category.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Henry lauded the Bayern Munich midfielder for his tactical awareness and defensive commitment, noting that his off-the-ball movement is unmatched. Henry, who previously coached the young star, described Olise as a player on a completely different level. He expressed that while others focus on goal statistics, Olise’s comprehension of the game and his ability to influence play make him the most important asset for France. Looking ahead, the French team is scheduled to compete against Paraguay this Saturday.
