When Ousmane Dembélé joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for £135.5m, he was hailed as one of the brightest young talents in world football. Yet, for years, injuries, inconsistency, and questions over his professionalism left many doubting whether he would ever fulfil that promise.
Now, at 28, the French forward has finally delivered on his potential, winning the Ballon d’Or after a remarkable season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists in the 2024/25 campaign, helping PSG secure a historic treble of Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League, before also reaching the Club World Cup final. His performances established him as Europe’s most in-form forward in the second half of the season.
The turning point came after Kylian Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid in 2024. With PSG in need of a new talisman, manager Luis Enrique handed Dembélé greater responsibility, moving him into a central role as a false nine. The tactical shift gave him more freedom to score, and he responded with the most prolific season of his career.
His transformation, however, was not only tactical. After years plagued by muscle injuries at Barcelona, Dembélé adopted a more disciplined lifestyle.
Marriage in 2021 and the birth of his child brought stability, while a renewed focus on fitness, nutrition, and professionalism allowed him to stay injury-free and consistent.
For years, many believed PSG’s Champions League hopes rested on Mbappé. Instead, it was Dembélé who rose to the occasion, proving himself not just a supporting act but the main star.
From a player once labelled unpredictable and unreliable, Dembélé has matured into a leader and, now, the world’s best footballer.
