Michael Olise, the Londoner who chose Les bleus inspired by Zidane and Henry | OneFootball

London-raised Michael Olise felt French at heart through his mother Mina, idolising Zidane and Henry. That pull would lead him to Les bleus and a senior debut in 2024.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he grew up in Hayes near Heathrow in a sporting family. His father, Vincent Olise, played cricket for Nigeria despite being born in Ghana, while Mina, of Franco-Algerian origin, insisted he spoke French at home.

Gifted early, he was steered by primary teacher Dr Triplett to Hayes & Yeading. Mentor Sean Conlon began one-to-ones at Old Isleworthians when Olise was six. He combined football with cross-country and chess, and still takes a board to France camps.

After months at Arsenal, Chelsea enrolled him at nine. Manchester City signed him at 14, where he worked alongside Cole Palmer, a year behind Phil Foden.

A free spirit, he clashed with efforts to constrain him and was released at 16 amid talk of a back issue. The setback only strengthened his wish to represent France.

Back home, Conlon took him in and spread the word. Reading scout Brendan Flanagan secured a trial, staff hesitated over his past exits, but persistence won out as they backed a polite, misunderstood talent they could polish.

At 17 he featured for Reading under-21s in the European Cup. Joe Gomes soon moved him to first-team training and his debut followed swiftly.

England had overlooked him while Mina quietly sent videos to the French federation. Jean-Luc Vannuchi called him for the under-18s, and by the time England moved for the under-20s it was too late.

A tug-of-war followed until Henry summoned him for the Paris Olympics. Even after signing for Bayern he prioritised the Games, conversations with Titi easing his French and deepening bonds. Deschamps then handed him a debut against Italy in September 2024, realising the dream he shared with his mother to wear France’s shirt like Zidane and Henry.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo