‘I see myself as a creative. I don’t consider myself an artist’ – Michael Olise gives his thoughts on the beautiful game
Despite captain Kylian Mbappé breaking France’s goalscoring record in les Bleus‘ World Cup opener against Senegal, it is team-mate Michael Olise who is attracting a large share of the plaudits with his man-of-the-match performance in the same match, to follow up his hat-trick against Northern Ireland in France’s final warm-up. Shortly before flying to the US, Olise (24) broke his famously studied silence to give an interview to L’Équipe.
Olise has become a walking meme machine in the early stages of the tournament, whether it is clips of his exploits for FC Bayern and for France or his resistance to team-mates’ attempts to get him to join in celebrations – or even to smile! He confirmed that “I prefer to let my feet do the talking” and clearly feels that it is on the pitch where he can best express himself. Sometimes, watching him in pre-match warm-ups, shuffling his feet on the surface and then taking a ball and moving away from his team-mates, it seems that he is more comfortable communing with the ball than other humans. “I think I just like taking the ball and feeling it before really beginning to play. Yes, it’s important for me to feel the ball in my hand or at my feet. I usually do a few juggles just to see how the pitch feels to me, a few passes into the advertising hoardings, that kind of thing“.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThis leads one to wonder whether he sees football as more than a sport, but art: “Yes, I think football can be art. But I just consider myself as someone creative. I don’t see myself as an artist. Yes, I love it when football is beautiful. I think football is a fantastic sport and so it should be fantastic visually too“.
One of the traits for which Olise has been much complimented this season (a season in which he scored 22 and assisted 29 for Bayern) is his ability to play always with his head up. But he disagrees when it is suggested that this is a new addition to his game: “That’s your opinion and I respect it, but it isn’t mine. I think that I have always played like that. It comes naturally to me and I don’t think that has changed. I gave lots of assists at Crystal Palace“.
Asked about how and where he first learned football – playing in the playground near where he and his younger brother Richard (who is on FC Chelsea’s books), Olise suggests that this where he developed his creative approach to the game: “I think it comes from there. It’s a different type of football but it’s a way to learn. Football in that setting is just freedom. I just took pleasure in playing football. I loved it, basically. Well I think that everyone loves that when they’re young“.
With professional football inevitably comes tactical considerations, which limit that freedom. So Olise is asked whether he needs that freedom in order to be able to express himself, his reply showing his appreciation of the importance of that more structured side to the game:
“To an extent. But it depends on things like whether you’re in control of the match. I think that football is also about control. Each coach has his own philosophy and then it’s about imposing your style on the match. When everyone knows their role within a structure, it makes my job a little easier too“.
Asked in what position he feels the most comfortable, Olise’s reply is not surprising: “I think it’s as a number 10. It’s a role that is a little freer. I grew up playing at number 10 so for me it comes a little more naturally. Perhaps not at the moment as I’m playing on the wing, but I think it’s what feels most natural to me“.
France’s impressive second half performance against Senegal was triggered by Olise being moved from the wing to the number 10 position, from where he linked up brilliantly with Mbappé. Asked if he agreed with Mbappé’s description of him as ‘the player of the today and of tomorrow’, Olise’s response was typically restrained:
“It’s very nice to hear that, especially from Kylian. When it comes from someone you play with, whom you respect and who has already achieved so much in football, it’s always nice to hear. For the moment I’d say that I’m a player for today. If I keep working hard and keep my feet on the ground, then I hope to become a player of the future“.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
