How best in the world Dembele finally lived up to his potential

He “could become the best player in the world” if used properly.

Ousmane Dembele had heard this provocative statement from ex-Barcelona boss Xavi in 2021 throughout his career.

Some questioned the mercurial Frenchman’s ability to reach the heights that had been predicted for him after he became the second-most expensive player in the world when he signed for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £135m in 2017.

The 28-year-old has finally seen that prophecy come true after winning the Ballon d’Or, a prize he has long-dreamed of, after a journey that has had many lows as he battled injuries, inconsistencies, and questions about his attitude.

Dembele burst out in tears as he thanked his family for their sacrifices in order to receive the top man’s prize in Paris. This is a testament to the ups and downs he has gone through in his career.

Dembele’s incredible 2024-2011 campaign saw his team Paris St.Germain reach the final of the Club World Cup while also winning the Coupe de France and the Champions League treble.

According to the statistics from the start of the year, he was Europe’s most in-form forward and recorded 34 goals and 14 assists in all competitions.

His success is also unheard of. He has beaten Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who both scored more goals than any other player in the top five leagues in Europe last year, and Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, who scored more goals than any other player.

Before joining PSG, Dembele’s transformation began at Barcelona as he began to see things differently. However, he was invited to be ambitious at PSG because he adored the idea of being a star.

The decision to leave French champion Mbappe to join Real Madrid, ironically predicted to make him the world’s best player, was the final piece in Dembele’s puzzled-over puzzle, as manager Luis Enrique declared, “We now want goals from you and we want you to be egotistical.”

The France international was only paid £43.5 million when PSG purchased him in August 2023, and he helped them win both league and cup titles.

Mbappe, the club’s record scorer, scored 44 goals in all competitions during his best seven seasons with PSG, making him far from the main man. As Real Madrid called, it turned out to be his last.

A new-style PSG required a new talisman and leader. Dembele, move forward.

And he did it without a doubt. His 51 goals were more than twice his best in a single campaign during his entire career, and he had 21 more goals than he had before.

Without Mbappe, manager Luis Enrique stated to Dembele last summer that he needed more goals from him to go along with his numerous assists. This gave the player the green light to approach the situation with less passing and a greater desire to score.

The coaching staff has frequently advised him in private that converting a sizable portion of his chances could result in collective success and then individual honors.

Dembele enjoyed playing his new tactical role and has grown to it all.

He was primarily played on the right in 2023 to 2024. Mbappe’s removal from the lead role was impossible.

He now mostly operates as a false nine inside, where he gets more of a chance to catch passes, take part in the buildup, and has more chances to finish.

It would be incorrect to attribute Dembele’s transformation solely to Mbappe’s Real move. The final step was merely that.

He spent 784 days out with sidelines while mostly injury-free at Rennes and Dortmund, but he also suffered 14 muscle injuries while there.

He trained quietly, which helped the club become the club’s most prestigious player in recent years, while his late nights due to gaming caused concerns about discipline and professionalism.

His explosive pace and dribbling, though, made him a game-changer when he was physically fit, and he showed signs of the talent Barcelona had invested in.

What then altered him?

Few people who are close to Dembele claim that he changed after marrying his girlfriend Rima in Morocco in December 2021 and shortly after giving birth.

Many of his team-mates were unaware that he had a partner, which was a surprise at the wedding.

In Barcelona, where he essentially grew up, he’s seen the biggest changes in his life during his final two seasons.

Dembele frequently traveled to France to get specialized preventative treatments while working at home with a physiotherapist. He began to see things differently when he had his father’s eyes and mind.

He finally recognized the value of good nutrition, and he has employed a French nutritionist to help him continue living a healthier lifestyle for the past few seasons.

Many people held the idea that a PSG victory in the Champions League would depend on one of France’s heroes’ on-field accomplishments. They also feared that a French hero would eventually rise to the top of the world.