As the projected winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembélé has reached a new level of fame. The 28-year-old striker for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team discussed this increased public attention in an interview with L’Équipe, published this Saturday.
Dembélé: “I don’t care. I want to stay the same.”
“Being a star, becoming famous through football, was that something that appealed to you?
Yeah, famous… But I didn’t know there would be all this fuss. I wanted to be a great player, to play in Champions League matches. If you play in those matches, it means you’re at a big club, that you’re a star. So, I am one.
And what do you think of the word ‘star’?
Pff… I don’t care. I want to stay the same. It doesn’t bother me at all. Even if, sometimes, you can’t walk down the street without people asking for a photo. Then you take the photo. Sometimes I try to blend in a bit to stay calm, to protect myself, my privacy too.
Dembélé: “It can change every two weeks.”
In 2017, you told L’Équipe: “I’m not going to say I’m the best player in the world!” Can you say that now?
‘Best player in the world’ is a big statement. To me, it means nothing. It can change every weekend. One match you’re not good, people will say you’re terrible. The next match, you’re the best in the world. (They show him the Ballon d’Or.) Yes, yes… That’s supposed to… But, it can change every two weeks. Then, when you have a great season, the best season, you’re rewarded. You were the best player of the season.” »
Dembélé has no intention of letting fame go to his head. The desire to be recognized was there, but primarily because the forward wanted to be a great football player, someone who plays in important matches. It wasn’t about fame for its own sake. He certainly has that now, given his achievements and the major trophies he has won.
So, he is enjoying this glorious, well-deserved period in his career. But there’s no question of changing his character or adopting a star-like attitude. Dembélé’s main focus is on playing good football, and he’s realistic: things can change very quickly.
He has to stay focused, remain serious, and give his all on the pitch. First and foremost, to help the team and win trophies. If this leads to a well-deserved level of recognition, all the better.
