Müller Backs Olise For 2026 Ballon d’Or

German football icon Thomas Müller has thrown his weight behind Bayern Munich teammate Michael Olise to claim the 2026 Ballon d’Or, surprisingly overlooking prolific striker Harry Kane.

In a candid interview with SportBild, Müller explained that while Kane remains the deadliest finisher in the game today, it is Olise’s rare, instinctive flair that could sway voters when the world’s best player is crowned.

“When it comes to finishing and attacking presence, Harry is the finest striker I see on any pitch,” Müller said. “He possesses a vast range of strengths, but dribbling past four opponents in tight spaces is not his game.”

The German veteran argued that the Ballon d’Or voting increasingly rewards what he calls the “artistic element” — the kind of effortless, dance-like quality that separates mere efficiency from global stardom.

“I still consider Harry the more crucial player for our team week in, week out,” Müller added. “But for an award like World’s Best Player, the vote tends to lean toward players like Michael — that graceful, almost magical ease on the ball. You can’t teach that. Michael delivers where it counts; he’s a true performer.”

Olise’s numbers from the past season back up the praise. The French winger racked up 15 goals and 19 assists, playing a pivotal role as Bayern secured their second consecutive Bundesliga title. With such creative output, Müller believes Olise has the edge over Kane when the 2026 votes are counted.