Kahn made the assessment on Sky Sport Germany after Olise scored a stoppage-time winner in Bayern's 4-3 Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday, sending the German club through to the semi-finals where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
"If you look at the performances of the last few weeks, Michael Olise is definitely on his way to the Ballon d'Or," Kahn said.
In a typically candid aside, Kahn also recalled the time he believed he had won the award himself. "I thought I had won! If I remember correctly, I was invited and then I said: 'Okay, I have won this thing now'. I went there and then found out: no, I had not won at all. And then I got a little irritated."
Olise has 18 goals and 29 assists in 43 competitive appearances this season, making him one of the most productive attacking players in Europe. Bayern Munich signed him from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024 for around €60 million and he is under contract until 2029. The club have been unequivocal that he is not for sale despite reported interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old's Champions League campaign has been central to his Ballon d'Or case. His stoppage-time winner against Real Madrid was the latest in a string of decisive interventions on the biggest stage.
With the World Cup in North America approaching this summer, Olise has the opportunity to add an international tournament run with France to a club season that has already covered enormous ground.