Few could have predicted such a shift at the start of the season. Dembélé's previous stint at Barcelona, a six-year spell marred by injuries and accusations of unprofessionalism, yielded only sporadic brilliance. His initial season at PSG was similarly understated, with a modest three goals in 26 Ligue 1 games. Yet, the current campaign has painted a drastically different picture.
The Metamorphosis: A Midseason Awakening
This season, Dembélé concluded the Ligue 1 campaign with an impressive 21 goals, contributing significantly to PSG's latest domestic title. His impact has been even more profound in the Champions League, where he has netted eight goals, propelling PSG to only their second-ever appearance in the European final. This surge in form is widely credited to the astute management of PSG coach Luis Enrique, who appears to have finally unlocked Dembélé's immense potential.
Enrique's confidence in his player is evident. "Dembélé has been one of the best players of the season, if not the best one," Enrique stated on Friday. "He scores, he passes, he fights, he defends, and that’s the real mentality — that’s a leader. A real leader is the guy who shows with his example the way to go. It’s so nice for me to hear Ousmane, to give him confidence, to develop his qualities." This glowing endorsement from a coach renowned for his tactical prowess speaks volumes about Dembélé's evolution.
Dembélé's journey has been one of peaks and valleys. His explosive talent first truly shone during his single season with Borussia Dortmund after joining from Rennes in 2016. He was instrumental in Dortmund's third-place finish in the Bundesliga and scored in the final to help them win the 2017 German Cup. This impressive display led to a high-profile, and ultimately controversial, transfer to Barcelona, where he forced a move by going on strike. The Catalan club invested heavily, paying €105 million (then $125 million) with potential add-ons reaching up to €147 million.
Barcelona's Burden and Paris's Promise
Unfortunately for Dembélé and Barcelona, he never consistently lived up to that hefty price tag. A series of debilitating injuries plagued his time in Catalonia, and while he secured three La Liga titles, his goal contributions remained in single digits. Early accusations of unpunctuality and a perceived lack of engagement in games further dampened expectations. Despite his eventual consolidation as a key player for Barça, leveraging his blistering speed and playmaking abilities, the club was compelled to accept a €50 million transfer fee from PSG in 2023 when he activated a buyout clause in his contract.
His initial season in Paris was a struggle to truly shine, primarily due to the undeniable dominance of Kylian Mbappé as the team's undisputed star. However, Mbappé's departure for Real Madrid in the offseason created a void and a new opportunity for Dembélé. Yet, the new season initially started as before, with a slow burn.
The real turning point came in December. Dembélé found the back of the net in a crucial 3-1 victory over Lyon. This goal seemed to ignite a fire, as he proceeded to score 10 goals in his next five Ligue 1 games, followed by another five in his subsequent four. A similar narrative unfolded in the Champions League. After being sent off in November during PSG's 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich, Dembélé returned a transformed player. He scored as PSG mounted a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Manchester City 4-2, followed by a hat-trick against Stuttgart, and then two more goals against Stade Brest.
The Catalyst: Trust and a New Role
"I’ve been able to kick things up a notch. The team has also been able to up the ante,” Dembélé reflected on his phenomenal form. “I’m delighted with everything that we’ve done to get here … especially since January, we really had a change of mindset.” This shift in mentality has been evident in his performances, as he either scored or assisted a teammate in each of his last five Champions League appearances, playing a pivotal role in PSG's journey past Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal to reach the final.
When asked about the catalyst for this dramatic improvement, Dembélé pointed to a crucial conversation with Luis Enrique upon the coach's arrival in 2023. He felt a profound sense of trust from the Spanish coach, particularly in being deployed in the central No. 9 position – a role he clearly relishes. "It’s a position that I enjoy playing,” Dembélé enthused. “It’s about creating uncertainty for the opponent. Sometimes you can be in front of the defensive line. Sometimes you’re playing behind them. Sometimes it’s just about driving them crazy, really.”
For Inter Milan, facing Dembélé in Saturday's final, this newfound confidence and tactical flexibility serve as a potent warning. Ousmane Dembélé, once a frustrating enigma, has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with, and a Champions League triumph could very well solidify his improbable, yet undeniable, claim to the Ballon d'Or.