Ousmane Dembélé (28, Paris Saint-Germain winger) spoke to France Football about his new-found maturity and the changes that have taken place in his career. The French international details how a new professional rigor has enabled him to gain in consistency and performance, to the benefit of PSG.
Dembélé “The more the years go by, the more you mature, the more composed you become”.
“I’m not young anymore, I’m 28 now. The more the years go by, the more you mature, the more composed you become. What’s more, if you have responsibilities, it’s even better. I’ve changed a lot of things in my day-to-day life. On and off the pitch, with my fitness trainer and physiotherapists. This has enabled me to perform much better, especially over the last two years.
Dembélé “Even on days off, I like to go to the training center, recuperate and work with the physiotherapists”.
Would you say you’re more of a pro?
Yes, I would. A little more professional. I used to be a pro, but now I’m even more of one. Now, even on days off, I like to go to the training center, recuperate and work with the physiotherapists. Before, I’d go home, play NBA 2K (a video game) and watch a bit of TV. I was younger too, which is normal. But, after a while, you pay for it in cash and I saw that especially in Barcelona.
I arrived there as a youngster, played there from the age of 20 to 26, and suffered a lot of physical problems. I learned a lot there, and it helped me. Now, I know my body a lot better and, as a result, I injure myself less. I know when I’m doing well, but also when I need to slow down, when I need to dose my training.”
Ousmane Dembélé marked the Paris Saint-Germain season with remarkable fitness and almost total availability, in stark contrast to his previous years, which were often disrupted by repeated injuries.
Although the winger experienced a few muscular scares in 2024/2025, they only resulted in two missed matches over the entire season, an extremely low figure given his medical history. This continuity enabled him to establish himself as a physical leader on the pitch: tireless in his runs, involved in pressing and always ready to make the defensive effort, he set the tone for his teammates with his commitment and generosity.
As a result, Dembélé has been able to play one match after another at the highest level, displaying a consistency that has made all the difference at major tournaments. His commitment to preparation, recovery and body management paid off, enabling him not only to avoid long periods of unavailability, but also to raise his game throughout the season.
This physical leadership, with its presence, intensity and consistency, has been one of the driving forces behind the Parisian team, inspiring the dressing room and reassuring the coaching staff. For PSG, Dembélé’s transformation into a reliable and exemplary player has been a major asset in the conquest of titles.
