Michael Olise is unlike almost any other footballer in the world right now. Born and raised in England, the 24-year-old is lighting up the World Cup under the France banner — and doing it almost entirely on his own terms.

The Bayern Munich forward has delivered 25 goals and 28 assists across the Bundesliga season, cementing his status as one of the finest players on the planet. At this World Cup, heading into France's last-16 clash with Paraguay on Saturday, he has already become the first player to register five assists at a single tournament since Germany's Thomas Hassler achieved the feat in 1994.

Yet for all his brilliance, Olise shuns interviews, rarely celebrates goals, holds no endorsement deal with any sportswear or boot brand, and prefers a game of chess to the glare of celebrity. Those who knew him growing up say this is not arrogance — it is simply Michael being Michael.

A prodigy spotted early

Olise was born in London to a French-Algerian mother, Mina, and a Nigerian father, Vincent. His exceptional ability showed itself almost immediately. Daniel Coker, his sports teacher at Dr Triplett's CE Primary School in Hayes, told BBC Sport that other coaches were alerting him to this extraordinary child when Olise was still in year two.