Matchday 4 of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich crushed Union Berlin 7-0 at home. Michael Olise delivered a sensational stat line: 3 goals, 1 assist and a penalty created, earning him Man of the Match with 88% of the fan vote. In this fixture, he showcased the full threat of an inverted left-footed right winger. Olise fired home from inside the box in the first half to extend Bayern’s lead. After the break, his dominance continued. He first whipped in a pinpoint cross for Harry Kane to head home, before bagging two more goals to complete his hat-trick. His two curling strikes highlighted his polished finishing, sealing the 7-0 rout for Bayern.
A single explosive performance has sparked fierce debate among football fans. After such a dominant showing, many are asking whether Olise has risen to the pinnacle of the right-wing hierarchy and entered the race for the title of the world’s best. While this breathtaking display is impressive, being universally recognised as football’s top right winger cannot rest on just one lopsided victory. His ability, consistency, the calibre of opposition and head-to-head comparisons with peers all need to be taken into account.
A Well-Rounded Talent: The Blueprint for an Inverted Winger
Olise is the classic left-footed player deployed on the right flank, a textbook example of the modern wide forward. Defenders know he wants to cut inside, yet they struggle to stop him. He boasts delicate dribbling skills, using subtle changes of pace and feints to bamboozle opponents in tight spaces. He reads the goal and his teammates’ positions before receiving the ball, launching attacks the moment he takes touch and leaving defenders with minimal time to react.
He combines elite finishing with playmaking vision. His signature cut-back curl is a lethal weapon, complemented by strong long-range shooting, one-on-one finishing and penalty-box poaching. During his time at Crystal Palace, he stood out for producing key passes. Since joining Bayern, he has registered multiple seasons with double figures in both goals and assists. In one Bundesliga campaign, he racked up 19 assists and topped the league assist chart, ranking highly among wingers for key passes per 90 minutes. He can both finish chances himself and craft opportunities for his teammates.
Beyond attacking output, his intelligent off-ball movement sets him apart. He avoids selfish, possession-heavy dribbling, using well-timed runs to stretch defensive lines and create space for his teammates. This all-round game is a trait many elite wingers lack.
A Crowded Race: The Verdict for the Best Right Winger Is Still Out
The competition for the world’s top right winger is fierce, with Olise facing several outstanding rivals. Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has shone on the biggest global stage, boasting elite composure in high-stakes matches, breathtaking dribbling and sharp predatory instincts in front of goal, sitting atop right-winger valuation rankings. Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is tireless, solid in both attack and defence, explosive down the flank and reliably delivers for club and country in crucial fixtures.
Still, Olise has notable flaws. His injury history from his Crystal Palace days raises questions over his durability to sustain top-level form through packed fixture lists. What is more, Union Berlin were not a top-tier defensive opponent in this match, so we must interpret this huge scoreline rationally. He needs to produce similarly dominant displays in Champions League ties and high-profile head-to-head clashes.
Both Yamal and Saka have proven themselves in World Cup and Champions League knockout football. To surpass these competitors, Olise must replicate this level not just against weaker league sides, but in Champions League showdowns and international tournaments with France. French legend Bixente Lizarazu has publicly named Olise the world’s best right winger, but this remains a personal opinion rather than a consensus across global football.
Bright Prospects: He Has Joined the Elite, Yet the Summit Awaits
This 3-goal, 1-assist haul confirms Olise has firmly secured his place among the world’s top-tier right wingers. His market value has surged beyond €150 million, a clear sign of how highly the transfer market rates his ability. At 24, he is entering the prime developmental years for a winger, with plenty of time to build a bigger resume of big-game performances.
To sum up: Olise cannot yet be labelled the world’s best right winger, but he absolutely belongs in the conversation for that honour. This four-goal contribution is a peak demonstration of his ability, not the final result. If he can maintain fitness, keep delivering standout performances in Champions League knockout stages and carry France’s attacking weight in major international tournaments while collecting major honours, global football will start to accept him as the world’s premier right winger.
Football never crowns its stars after just one match. But Olise’s masterclass sent a clear message: this Bayern wide man has stepped onto the centre stage of the race to be the world’s finest right winger.