World Cup 2026: Michael Olise compared to Zinedine Zidane by Christophe Dugarry

Michael Olise’s stunning rise with France has earned him one of the biggest compliments possible in French football after former World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry compared the Bayern Munich star to legendary playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

Olise has been one of the standout performers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, forming a devastating partnership with Kylian Mbappe and playing a key role in France’s qualification for the knockout rounds. His creativity, vision and ability to dictate attacks have made him one of the tournament’s most influential players.

Speaking on RMC, Dugarry said Olise is the closest player he has seen to Zidane in a French shirt since the legendary midfielder retired.

“Zidane is irreplaceable, but sometimes, in the way he touches and controls the ball, Olise resembles him,” Dugarry said.

The former France striker went even further, claiming that none of the many players compared to Zidane over the past two decades have come closer stylistically than the Bayern Munich winger.

“In the last 15 to 20 years, among all the players who have been compared to Zizou, he is the one who is most similar to him,” Dugarry added.

This is not the first time Dugarry has drawn parallels between the two players. Earlier this year, he praised Olise’s elegance, vision and ability to glide between the lines, saying the French international possessed qualities reminiscent of Zidane’s game.

While comparisons with one of football’s greatest-ever playmakers remain premature, Olise’s influence on Didier Deschamps’ side continues to grow. The 24-year-old has become one of France’s primary creative forces, with his intelligence in possession and ability to unlock defences making him a perfect complement to the finishing prowess of Kylian Mbappe.

With France among the favourites to lift the World Cup and Olise producing consistently outstanding performances, the former Crystal Palace star is rapidly establishing himself as one of the world’s elite attacking players.

Whether he can eventually reach the heights achieved by Zidane remains to be seen, but according to Dugarry, no French player since “Zizou” has looked more capable of carrying that creative mantle.