Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has clarified his now-famous pre-match ritual of walking alone onto the pitch before games, insisting “it’s not that deep.”
The 24-year-old, who helped Bayern secure a 2–1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Real Madrid on April 7, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu, was seen inspecting the grass ahead of kick-off. The moment gained extra attention given the iconic venue, with clips of Olise’s solo walk circulating widely on the video.
Olise, who plays as a right winger for Bayern wearing number 17, explained that the routine is largely practical. Every pitch surface is different, he noted some dry, some soft, some holding the ball more. By walking the grass alone, he assesses conditions to decide how to play and even which boots to wear. “I just want to feel the ground properly,” he said, pushing back against public speculation that the habit is overly deep or eccentric.
But the ritual also serves a mental purpose. Olise described it as his moment “to slow everything down. No noise, no pressure... just me and the pitch before the match starts.”
Olise represents France at the senior international level. Known for his dribbling, creativity, and vision, he is regarded as one of the top young wingers in world football. For him, the pre-match walk is neither superstition nor showmanship it is simply preparation, helping him focus before high-stakes games like Bayern’s return leg against Madrid.