‘I Was Mocked at Man City For Being Weak

Many footballers have to overcome setbacks during their youth before making it as a professional and some use it as motivation to prove their doubters wrong.

There’s no bigger individual honour for a player than winning the Ballon d’Or and it’s an award that writes your name in football immortality. Take, for example, the record holder Lionel Messi, who was diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency which threatened to ruin his dreams of reaching superstardom.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past two decades, there isn’t much that needs to be said about what Messi has accomplished. Eight Ballons d’Or are just some of the many achievements the Argentine icon has to his name.

Barcelona took a chance on Messi, paying for his medical treatment and bringing him to Camp Nou at the age of 13. At the age of 39, he is again competing for the Ballon d’Or this year, and while at Manchester City during his youth, one of his rivals encountered similar issues.

Michael Olise – From Man City Humiliation to Ballon d’Or Nomination

REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

This year’s Ballon d’Or race is one of the toughest to call in years as Messi is vying with the likes of Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to take top spot on the podium. Another name who is in with a shout is Michael Olise, and he’s earned support from his nation’s fans.

During France’s 4-1 win over Belgium in the UEFA Nations League on Monday night, French fans were heard chanting, “Olise Ballon d’Or.” He responded with a smile and told French broadcaster TF1 “I have nothing to say.”

The 24-year-old’s story is one that should inspire youngsters looking to make it as professionals because he dealt with problems that many will be experiencing. Looking back, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will all regret not giving a teenage Olise a chance or patience.

Olise’s former Reading coach, Jose Gomes, recalled the winger’s difficulties during his youth career while speaking to AS: “Before he was 14, he was at Arsenal’s youth academy, but he didn’t adapt. Chelsea kicked him out for the same reason some tried to do so at Reading: because he didn’t attend classes and didn’t pay attention to his studies.”

If that wasn’t bad enough, his time in City’s academy came with his own teammates ridiculing him and seemingly pushing him to the exit door: “And at City, it was because his teammates laughed at him. He had weak arms, and English boys were strong. When the fitness coach told them to do push-ups, he struggled a lot, and his teammates mocked him. He felt humiliated and left.”

Olise departed City’s academy in January 2017, joining Reading, where he managed to settle and showcase his enormous potential. It didn’t take long for him to catch the eye with displays in the EFL Championship and Crystal Palace came calling in July 2021.

During his time at Selhurst Park, Olise evolved into one of the most exciting attackers in English football. Many of the Holmesdale End fanbase will point out that their supporters were touting him as one of the best wingers in Europe before he truly became one of the biggest names on the footballing planet at Bayern Munich.

Olise has been unstoppable at times while in Bavaria, playing a crucial role in Vincent Kompany’s frightening attack. Linking up with fellow Ballon d’Or nominee Kane, he is producing remarkable numbers and putting on a show each time he’s on the pitch.

‘Time to Grow’ – Olise’s Story Should Inspire Others

REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

With Olise now recognised as one of the best in the world, it’s he who is laughing at those who ‘humiliated’ him during his time at City. Not only is he starring at club level with Bayern, but he’s becoming as big a star as Mbappe each time he represents France.

After scoring a brace in the comeback win over Belgium last Monday, his new manager, Zinedine Zidane, gave a glowing verdict: “I have nothing to say. What he does is just exceptional.”

Olise now finds himself in a position to share advice about getting through the trials and tribulations that youth football can bring. He told fashion outlet Highsnobiety before featuring at his first World Cup this past summer:

Olise might not win the Ballon d’Or this year, but if he carries on wowing fans, it won’t be long until he is holding the Golden Ball. And as he eyes more individual and team success, his story could have its biggest twist yet as football awaits the punishment that the Premier League has in store for former youth club City for serious breaches of financial rules.