In Madrid, where every attacking rumour travels quickly through the Bernabéu orbit, Kylian Mbappé has drawn a clear line around Michael Olise. The France captain said he did not urge the Bayern Munich forward to consider Real Madrid, despite speculation over a major attacking investment before the club completed the signing of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Key takeaways
- Mbappé said it would be professionally inappropriate to recommend that Olise leave Bayern Munich.
- Olise was named Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2025-26 after helping Bayern win the title.
- Real Madrid have brought Yan Diomande in from RB Leipzig during their reshaping of the forward line.
- Mbappé praised new Madrid coach José Mourinho as an intelligent leader with a close relationship to his players.
- The French captain does not expect to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo by playing beyond the age of 40.
Mbappé keeps distance from the Olise conversation
Speaking while away with France during the international window, Mbappé acknowledged that he had seen the reports connecting Olise with a move to the Spanish capital. But he insisted that a player should not become involved in trying to direct another player’s career, particularly when that footballer is under contract at a major European club.
“I knew about the rumours and I understand the situation,” Mbappé said. “When I was at PSG, there were countless stories about transfers. Telling a player to change clubs would be disrespectful and unfair to Bayern, especially because it is a great club where Michael can achieve a lot.”
His assessment of the winger was nevertheless unequivocal. Mbappé described Olise as an exceptional footballer and said that any club in world football would welcome the chance to have him.
Olise’s standing has risen sharply after Bayern’s Bundesliga-winning 2025-26 campaign, in which he collected the division’s Player of the Season award. That profile had made him one of the names discussed around Madrid as the club weighed further investment in attack, before Diomande arrived from Leipzig.
Mourinho’s arrival and Mbappé’s view of longevity
Madrid are also beginning a new chapter under José Mourinho, with the Portuguese coach appointed to steer a project carrying the familiar weight of expectation in the Spanish capital. Mbappé offered a warm early verdict on the manager, focusing on his ability to connect with the dressing room as well as his long record of success.
“José Mourinho is extremely intelligent, which is why he has achieved so much in his career,” Mbappé said. “He is very close to the players and genuinely takes an interest in us. He is a leader and knows exactly how to get the best from us.”
Mbappé also reflected on the example set by Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood idol, but said he does not see himself extending his own playing days beyond 40. He pointed to the media and social demands surrounding leading players in France as a reason why he does not expect to sustain a career into that stage of life.
