Not Messi! Rio Ferdinand Names This 24-Year-Old As His Favourite From 2026 FIFA World Cup

Published 18 July 2026 · sports

Not Messi! Rio Ferdinand Names This 24-Year-Old As His Favourite From 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 16:24 IST Michael

Not Messi! Rio Ferdinand Names This 24-Year-Old As His Favourite From 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 16:24 IST Michael Olise shines at FIFA World Cup, Rio Ferdinand lauds his flair. Real Madrid and Liverpool eye the French winger. Rapid Read Michael Olise and Spain's Marc Cucurella (24) battle for the ball during the World Cup semifinal (Picture credit: AP) England centre-back Rio Ferdinand has said that if there is one player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for whom he would like to go and buy a ticket to watch him play, it would be French winger Michael Olise, who was one of the stars of the team’s run to the semifinals. Olise has emerged as one of France’s standout performers at the FIFA World Cup. The winger has registered a tournament-high five assists in seven appearances, underlining his importance to Les Bleus’ campaign.

Although France’s hopes of winning the title ended with a 0-2 loss to Spain in the semi-finals, Les Bleus still have one final assignment as they take on England in the third-place playoff on Saturday, July 18. “I want just someone with flair, man. Someone who makes me want to buy a ticket to go to a game makes me want to stay to the end and not miss the end because of traffic, because he might do something again. This World Cup, it has to be Olise," Ferdinand said while speaking on Rio Vlogs. Favourite Player of the World Cup? Rio, Joel and Ste reveal their picks #AD pic.twitter.com/GRYFSmMzkR— Rio Ferdinand Presents (@RioMeets) July 18, 2026 Olise’s outstanding performances for both France at the FIFA World Cup and Bayern Munich have attracted interest from multiple European heavyweights, including Real Madrid and Liverpool.

As per several reports, Olise is keen on a move to Los Blancos and has already informed Bayern of his desire to join the Spanish giants. Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps will bring the curtain down on a brilliant 14-year spell as France head coach when Les Bleus face England in the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday. Waiting in the wings is Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps’ former teammate and one of the all-time great French footballers. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Michael Olise join Real Madrid after the World Cup? Reports indicate that Michael Olise is of interest to Real Madrid and Liverpool. Olise is reportedly keen on a move to Real Madrid and has informed Bayern Munich of his desire to join the Spanish club. Who will replace Didier Deschamps as France coach?