Michael Olise has reportedly hailed Rayan Cherki as one of the best players in the world following another impressive performance from the Manchester City attacking midfielder for France.
Cherki once again showed his quality during France’s dramatic 4–1 comeback victory over Belgium, playing a major role in the turnaround and scoring France’s second goal after coming off the bench. Olise also produced a sensational performance, registering an assist for Cherki before scoring twice himself as France completed a remarkable comeback.
The performance has strengthened the growing belief that Cherki is developing into one of the most exciting attacking players in international football.
Although Cherki did not start the match, his introduction changed the tempo of France’s attack. Belgium had managed to frustrate France for long periods, but the arrival of Cherki, Olise and Désiré Doué gave the hosts an additional level of creativity and attacking movement.
Cherki eventually found the breakthrough in the 81st minute, converting Olise’s assist to put France ahead. Just minutes later, Olise took control of the match himself, scoring twice to complete the 4–1 victory.
For Olise, the performance highlighted the extraordinary attacking talent available to France and, in particular, the connection he is developing with Cherki.
The two players have already combined effectively during the current international period. Against Italy, Cherki played a role in Olise’s spectacular goal after helping create the free-kick situation and then executing a clever set-piece routine that allowed Olise to strike from outside the box.
Their understanding has quickly become one of the most interesting aspects of Zidane’s new France team.
Olise has already established himself as one of France’s most important attacking players. Reports following the Belgium match noted that he had been decisive in each of France’s first four matches under Zinedine Zidane, while his contribution against Belgium took his international tally to four goals and two assists during the opening four matches of the new era.
But rather than focusing only on his own achievements, the latest discussion surrounding Olise has centred on his appreciation for Cherki.
Cherki has been increasingly influential since moving to Manchester City, and his technical ability has never been seriously questioned. His close control, dribbling, vision and ability to find passes in crowded areas have made him a particularly difficult player for defenders to contain.
What has impressed observers recently is his ability to combine those natural qualities with greater tactical responsibility.
Under Zidane, Cherki has been asked to operate in a slightly different role, including deeper positions where he is expected to contribute more to the overall structure of the team. That adjustment has not stopped him from influencing matches in the final third.
Against Belgium, he demonstrated precisely that.
France needed creativity after falling behind, and Cherki provided it.
His goal was not simply important because it gave France the lead. It also represented another indication of his growing confidence at international level.
For a player competing against some of the biggest names in world football for a starting position, producing decisive moments when given an opportunity is extremely important.
Olise appears to understand that better than most.
The Bayern Munich star has played alongside Cherki for France and has seen first-hand the qualities the midfielder possesses. Their relationship has become increasingly important to Zidane, with the France coach repeatedly using the two players together.
The latest victory over Belgium provided perhaps the clearest evidence yet of how dangerous the pair can be.
Olise entered the match and immediately looked capable of changing the contest. Cherki also came onto the pitch and quickly became involved in France’s attacking moves. Eventually, Olise supplied the cross that Cherki turned into France’s second goal.
The combination was simple but devastating.
Cherki found the space.
Olise delivered the ball.
And France took the lead.
Moments later, Olise completed his own brilliant individual performance with two goals.
The result was a 4–1 victory that left France at the top of their Nations League group with 10 points from four matches.
For Zidane, it was also a hugely encouraging sign that his attacking players are beginning to understand one another.
The France manager praised the impact of his substitutions after the match, describing the second half as extraordinary and highlighting how the changes helped transform the contest.
Cherki’s development could therefore become one of the biggest stories of Zidane’s time in charge.
The midfielder is no longer simply viewed as a talented youngster with impressive technical ability. He is beginning to demonstrate that he can decide major international matches.
That is the difference between potential and genuine elite-level performance.
Cherki’s ability to operate between midfield and attack makes him particularly valuable. He can carry the ball forward, create opportunities, combine with teammates and threaten the goal himself.
His goal against Belgium was another example of that versatility.
And with players such as Olise, Kylian Mbappé and Désiré Doué around him, Cherki has the opportunity to develop within an exceptionally talented attacking group.
Olise himself is also enjoying an extraordinary period.
His two goals against Belgium followed his decisive performances against Turkey, Belgium and Italy. French media have already begun discussing his growing status within the national team, while supporters at the Stade de France even chanted for him to win the Ballon d’Or after his outstanding display against Belgium.
That makes the relationship between Olise and Cherki even more intriguing.
Both players are entering a period where they are expected to become central figures for France.
Both possess outstanding technical quality.
Both can create something from nothing.
And both have shown that they can produce decisive moments at international level.
For Cherki, however, the biggest challenge now is consistency.
One outstanding performance can create excitement, but maintaining that level over an extended period is what ultimately separates the world’s best players from highly talented footballers.
If Cherki continues performing at the level he showed against Belgium, the conversation surrounding his status will become much louder.
He has already demonstrated that he can change matches from the bench. The next step is establishing himself as an automatic starter.
That is where Zidane’s selection decisions will become particularly interesting.
France possess an extraordinary amount of attacking talent, meaning even world-class players face competition for places. Olise has already emerged as one of Zidane’s most trusted attacking options, while Cherki is fighting for a more permanent role.
But performances like the one against Belgium make the decision increasingly difficult.
Cherki did not simply enter the game and participate.
He helped change it.
He scored the goal that gave France the lead.
He combined effectively with Olise.
He offered France another creative outlet.
And he helped turn a difficult night into a convincing victory.
Those are precisely the types of performances that can change a player’s status.
Olise’s praise, therefore, would represent more than a compliment between teammates. It would underline the belief inside the France squad that Cherki has the ability to reach the very highest level of the game.
The Manchester City star has already attracted attention for his performances at club level, but international football provides an even bigger stage.
And Cherki appears increasingly comfortable on it.
The midfielder has also spoken about adapting to a new position and taking greater responsibility within Zidane’s tactical system. That willingness to learn could become one of his greatest strengths.
Natural talent can take a player a long way, but tactical intelligence, discipline and consistency are required to remain at the top.
Cherki is beginning to show signs of possessing all three.
His partnership with Olise could be especially important.
The pair have already combined for important moments, and their understanding appears to be developing rapidly. With France preparing for more major international fixtures, their connection could become one of the foundations of Zidane’s attacking system.
For French supporters, that is an extremely exciting prospect.
For opposition defenders, it could become a serious problem.
Cherki’s ability to create space and Olise’s quality in the final third give France two players capable of producing decisive moments without needing many opportunities.
The Belgium match demonstrated that perfectly.
France were behind.
The attack was struggling.
Then Cherki and Olise helped change everything.
By the final whistle, France had scored four goals and completed one of the most impressive comebacks of Zidane’s early tenure.
Cherki’s contribution may ultimately be remembered as one of the defining moments of the match.
And if he continues to perform at this level, the debate surrounding his status will only grow.
For now, he remains one of the most exciting players in a France squad overflowing with talent.
But after his latest performance, the argument that Rayan Cherki belongs among the elite is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Olise’s reported assessment reflects the growing confidence surrounding his teammate: Cherki possesses the technical ability, creativity, personality and match-winning quality required to compete at the highest level.
The challenge now is simple.
Do it again.
And again.
And again.
Because if Rayan Cherki continues producing performances like the one against Belgium, the discussion may soon move beyond whether he is one of the world’s most talented players.
It could become a conversation about whether he has already established himself as one of the best players in the world.