At the 2026 World Cup, an offensive leader from the Blues panics the counters and the defenses. Against Sweden, he offered two assists during the 3-0 success of the French team, bringing his total to five offerings since the start of the tournament and confirming his exceptional running volume. Behind these accelerations and this impressive chest, a detail is as intriguing as his dribbling: a small blue pot discreetly drawn before matches.
This player is Michael Oliseauthor of an XXL season with the Bayern Munich (22 goals and 31 assists in all competitions) and now the driving force behind the Blues. The winger would apply Vicks VapoRub before entering the pitch, a ritual from high-level locker rooms. A sensory habit more than a doping agent, which sheds light on his performance in a different way and asks a simple question: what does this menthol balm really bring him?
Michael Olise’s Vicks VapoRub ritual in the Blues locker room
Vicks VapoRub, a balm with an oily texture and a very strong odor, is applied by Michael Olise on the chest or under the nostrils just before kick-off. The stated objective: to feel breathing more freely, enter a bubble of concentration and mentally put yourself in match mode. This discreet gesture complements the classic warm-up, without replacing it.
This ritual is not new. Real Madrid players are already using it, and Patrick Vieira put some on at the time ofArsenal. Arsène Wenger even confided: “At first it attracted a lot of attention and was even thought to be illegal, but it was very simple… It was almost a child’s remedy“. For such an influential number 10, every detail counts, especially when the playmaker strings together very, very high-level performances.
Menthol, camphor, eucalyptus: what the balm really changes on the ground
Created at the end of the 19th century to relieve colds,
Vicks VapoRub partner menthol,
camphor and oileucalyptus. Applied to the skin, it causes a feeling of freshness which gives the impression of “cleaner” air and clear airways. For a player who is sprinting, this sensation can reduce the discomfort felt and make it easier to manage the effort.
Doctors point out, however, that this feeling of breathing better does not necessarily mean more real oxygen in the lungs. The balm acts above all as a sensory and mental boost. In a competitor like Michael Olisealready extremely involved in the game, this ritual can strengthen confidence, the perception of control and entry into the right state of mind to make repeated efforts.
Should we copy Michael Olise and his little blue Vicks VapoRub jar?
For an amateur, imitating this ritual can remain a gesture of comfort, provided that the instructions are followed: not in the nostrils, not on the eyes or irritated skin, stop immediately in the event of a burn or allergy. Health organizations like the Mayo Clinic point out that the product remains a medicine for colds, not a harmless sports accessory.
Basically, the “secret” of Michael Olise is not about a miracle product that would make you run faster, but about a sensory micro-ritual well integrated into an already very professional preparation. Its minty balm acts as an additional inner trigger, among other invisible routines, in a career where every detail of feeling and concentration can weigh on one more assist.