Michael Olise is chasing Pelé's record

France's star winger Michael Olise is producing an impressive performance at the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old Bayern Munich player has reached five assists in the four matches he has played at the tournament, taking top spot in the assist rankings. This surge has made Olise one of the most talked-about names of the tournament.

The five-assist figure Olise has reached is notable in several respects. This number stands out as the highest tally of assists by any player at a World Cup since 1994. In addition, the young player has claimed the title of the Frenchman with the most assists in a single tournament since 1966. Olise appears to have become France's most important creative force in attack with the accurate passes he provides to his teammates.

The experienced name is also on the brink of a historic record. Should he provide his sixth assist in France's last-16 match against Paraguay, he will match Pelé, who holds the record in this category with six assists at the 1970 World Cup, and will equal the single-tournament assist record that has stood for 56 years. Olise drew attention throughout the tournament by providing crucial assists to Kylian Mbappé, particularly in the matches against Senegal and Sweden.

Olise's performance also stands out in terms of individual awards; the young player is cited among the candidates for the Golden Ball, the prize for the tournament's best player. Having produced 22 goals and 31 assists with his club Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 season, Olise has carried that form to the national team as well. It is known that the all-time World Cup assist record is held by Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona with eight assists each. Olise's performance in the rest of the tournament will be followed with interest.

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