Matthaus: Bayern do not want to sell Olise; Rodri unlikely to win Ballon d'Or again

German football legend Lothar Matthäus said he is not concerned about the transfer rumors surrounding Bayern winger Olise, and also commented on the FIFA World Cup final, the Ballon d'Or race, and the current state of the German national team.

Regarding the Olise transfer rumors, Matthäus said: "I'm very relaxed about it. Uli Hoeneß made it clear a few weeks ago that the player would stay at Bayern and that Real Madrid could save their phone calls. Olise has a contract in Munich, and Bayern doesn't want to sell him."

Regarding the FIFA World Cup final, Matthäus stated frankly: "I was originally a fan of Argentine football, but the South Americans' performance in the FIFA World Cup final had nothing to do with football. Spain wanted to play football, Argentina didn't. They lacked courage and got involved in scenes we don't need. They acted like bad losers and didn't line up to salute Spain, which I deeply regret. I can understand their disappointment, but it's a matter of respect for a team that deserved to win."

Speaking of Messi, Matthäus believes this final might be Messi's last FIFA World Cup match. "I don't think he can play another FIFA World Cup at 43, but I can't say whether this is his last national team match."

Regarding the Ballon d'Or, Matthäus believes the competition is now wide open. "Rodri was the commander of the FIFA World Cup-winning team, but I don't think he will win the Ballon d'Or this year. Due to Spain's team performance, the competition is very open. I think Dembélé has an advantage, having won the Champions League again with PSG. Mbappé was the top scorer in the FIFA World Cup, but he didn't win any titles with Real Madrid. I would be surprised if he won the Ballon d'Or. Olise has performed exceptionally well at Bayern, providing the most assists in both the Bundesliga and the FIFA World Cup. He and Harry Kane, the Bundesliga's top scorer, won the double with Bayern, and both reached the FIFA World Cup semifinals."

Speaking of the German national team, Matthäus believes they can learn from Spain. "We also have talents like Musiala, Brandt, and Pavlovic, and our U19 team also reached the European Championship final. The important thing is that they don't get spoiled and are guided correctly. I feel that Spanish young players are more down-to-earth than ours. Some say we lack quality, but some German internationals play for Real Madrid, Arsenal, or Bayern, where they have proven their ability."

Matthäus also discussed the coach’s role. "Klopp must reconnect with the players, clarify their positions, and create a team in which everyone fights for each other. Coaches must be like a second father to the players, supporting them even when they perform poorly. If I have something to say to a player, I'll say it to their face, not through the media."

Regarding Nagelsmann, Matthäus stated: "He created unrest before and after the FIFA World Cup, but there must be calm! There is no success with unrest. Schalke 04 finally found peace after 30 years, successfully earning promotion with a team of unknown players and an unknown coach, because for the first time they acted as a unit for a long period without creating headlines."

Regarding Olise's position on the field, Matthäus added: "Olise plays as a number 10 for France, but Bayern already has 2 or 3 players in that position. He can move to the center if necessary, but he feels more comfortable on the right, where he performs better than he does as a central player for France."

Matthäus concluded: "Bayern have begun preparations for the new season, and I believe they will have a stronger squad than last season."

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