New Delhi: Ousmane Dembele’s career has been a rollercoaster ride from being talented to huge setbacks, and redemption. Dembele was once the second most expensive player in history when he signed for Spanish giants Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund back in 2017. Barca president Joan Laporta even described as “better than Kylian Mbappe”. Now at 27, Dembele has transformed himself into one of Europe’s most in-form players, becoming a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain.
The French forward’s turnaround has been remarkable and his goal-scoring spree has put him in the spotlight once again. With 18 goals in his last 11 games, he has outscored every other player in Europe’s top five leagues since December. As PSG aim for their elusive Champions League trophy Dembele’s form could be the decisive factor in their pursuit.
Dembele’s transformation
Dembele arrived at Barcelona in 2017 for a staggering £135.5m fee making him the club’s most expensive signing at the time. But instead of becoming their next superstar his time at Camp Nou was defined by inconsistency. Injuries plagued his progress and he suffered 14 muscle-related setbacks and spent over two years on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old’s discipline issues also raised concerns. His gaming habits and late-night routines even led to fines and the club even assigned private chefs to help him with his diet. Despite glimpses of brilliance he never fully lived up to expectations in Spain.
– Joined for €135m
– 119 games missed through injuries
– With Xavi’s introduction, Dembele broke his own assist record (13).
– Seemed to become an essential player to the project.
– Leaves Barca in a deal worth €50m to join PSG. pic.twitter.com/roDjEF9Oit— Ivar (@IvarTalksBarca) July 31, 2023
Those who have known Dembele closely believe his transformation began in December 2021 when he married Rima, his long-time partner in a private Muslim wedding in Morocco. The event surprised many including his Barcelona teammates as few even knew he was in a relationship. Shortly after that he became a father and his perspective on life changed.
He took his fitness more seriously working closely with physiotherapists and making regular visits to France for specialised treatments. His commitment to nutrition improved as he hired a French nutritionist to guide his lifestyle. Maturity and responsibility reshaped his approach leading to a more professional and dedicated version of himself in his final seasons at Barcelona.
PSG’s key man
When Dembele joined PSG in August 2023 for £43.5m many questioned whether he could handle the pressure of replacing big names. But from day one he believed he could thrive. Under Luis Enrique, he has evolved into a more direct attacker. Last season, he primarily played on the right wing but now he operates centrally as a false nine, getting more touches and creating more scoring chances.
Luis Enrique challenged him to increase his goal tally pushing him to be more selfish in front of goal which resulted in Dembele flourishing, scoring 16 goals in Ligue 1 from all angles, six in the Champions League, and one in the Nations League. He has used both feet effectively proving his versatility in attack.
Ousmane Dembele – 2024/2025 so far@dembouz pic.twitter.com/CbO0DLhWrV
— Ous (@fukxumean) February 13, 2025
Finding balance: The Luis Enrique factor
Despite his resurgence, Dembele hasn’t been without controversy at PSG. In September, after a 3-1 win over Rennes, he had a heated exchange with Luis Enrique leading to his exclusion from a Champions League match against Arsenal. The manager made it clear that discipline was non-negotiable. Though Dembele reacted poorly at first, he later apologised and refocused.
Even his recent sending-off against Bayern Munich led to brief speculation about a fallout. However, Enrique clarified that his absence from the next two games was for mental rest rather than punishment. The trust between the two remains strong as evident in their recent training ground interactions filled with smiles and laughter.
Can Dembele lead PSG to glory?
Dembele’s incredible form has reignited PSG’s hopes of finally conquering Europe. While much of the attention has always been on Kylian Mbappe it’s Dembele who has taken centre stage in recent months. His transformation from an injury-prone undisciplined talent to a mature goal-scoring leader is a story of perseverance and growth.
As PSG prepare for the Champions League knockout stages, the question remains can Dembele deliver the ultimate prize? If his current form is anything to go by the answer might just be yes.
The former Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele has transformed his career at PSG, overcoming injuries and discipline issues to become a goal-scoring sensation. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
