Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki
France teammates, in both the Olympic side and the senior one: both squads appear on both records. Michael Olise, born 2001, is a winger who came through Crystal Palace and plays for Bayern. Rayan Cherki, born 2003, is a forward of Algerian descent who grew up in the Olympique academy and moved to Manchester City. Both are holders of the French Ordre national du Mérite.
How they met
In the national set-up. Olise came through the France under-18s and the under-21s, Cherki through the under-16s; they met in the Olympic squad and the senior national team, both of which appear on both records. Their club paths then split across different leagues: Germany and England.
The core tension
Two attacking players of one generation competing for the same places in one national team — rivalry inside a partnership. Olise is known for dribbling and pace, Cherki for much the same qualities in a slightly different forward role. Both left French clubs for top leagues at almost the same time, and their form is now compared not only at club level but in selection for France.
What connects them
- member of sports team:France Olympic football team
- member of sports team:France men's national association football team
