Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has sparked discussion after declaring that Michael Olise is a better footballer than Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, praising the French winger’s qualities and backing him to become the best player in the world.

Hoeness shared his assessment during an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, expressing strong confidence in Olise’s ability and future prospects. The Bayern official believes the 24-year-old has the potential to reach the highest level of the game and has already demonstrated qualities that distinguish him from other attacking players.

“Michael Olise is on his way to becoming the best player in the world. For me, he is better than Lamine Yamal,” Hoeness said.

He further explained his admiration by pointing to Olise’s contributions in attack, including his goalscoring ability, creativity and pace.

“He scores goals, provides assists, is fast… He is practically the perfect player,” he added.

Olise has continued to strengthen his reputation since joining Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace. His technical skills, ability to create opportunities and effectiveness in the final third have made him an important attacking option for the German club.

His performances have also placed him among the players attracting attention in discussions about Europe’s leading wingers. Hoeness’s comments reflect his belief that the French international can continue improving and potentially establish himself among football’s elite.

However, his comparison with Yamal is likely to generate considerable debate, particularly among Barcelona supporters who have watched the teenager become increasingly influential at the Catalan club.

At 19, Yamal has already established himself as a key figure under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. His dribbling, vision and ability to unlock opposing defences have made him one of the team’s most dangerous attacking players.

The Spanish international offers more than goals and assists. His ability to draw multiple defenders towards him can create space for teammates, giving Barcelona additional attacking opportunities. Despite his age, he has also taken on significant responsibilities for Spain at international level.

Olise and Yamal have developed different strengths that contribute to their importance for their respective teams. While Hoeness particularly emphasised Olise’s combination of pace, creativity and direct attacking output, Yamal’s influence is also evident in his individual skill, movement and ability to shape attacking situations.

Ultimately, deciding which player is superior remains subjective, with opinions often influenced by tactical preferences, individual performances and the needs of each team. Both players are still developing their careers, meaning their progress over the coming seasons will provide further evidence for comparisons between them.

The debate surrounding Yamal comes as Barcelona prepare for their El Clasico meeting with Real Madrid. The teenager will have an opportunity to demonstrate his quality in one of football’s biggest fixtures and help his team pursue an important result against their historic rivals.

Meanwhile, Olise will be focused on maintaining his strong performances for Bayern Munich and continuing his development in Germany. With both attackers attracting attention for their contributions, comparisons between them are likely to remain a talking point as their careers progress.