Didier Deschamps, a former World Cup-winning midfielder and now the manager of the French national team (having also won a World Cup as manager), spoke to L’Équipe TV on Monday evening after Ousmane Dembélé, the 28-year-old forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team, won the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Deschamps: “He’s had a difficult footballing journey with numerous injuries.”
“This is a great evening for him. It’s also a very positive thing for French football. Ousmane is reserved, but he’s a very sensitive person. He’s had a difficult footballing journey with serious injuries, but he has an incredible character. Even though he’s now in the spotlight worldwide, that’s not something he seeks. He’s reached this point tonight thanks to everything he does on the pitch. He won’t change.”
Dembélé will appreciate these positive words from his national team manager, particularly the confidence expressed in him as a person. This may even be more important than the praise for his playing abilities, which we all know are exceptional. Humanity comes first, and these words are truly touching.
We would also like to point out that it would have been helpful if Deschamps had shown a little more consideration during the September international break for a player whose history of injuries he is well aware of. Taking that risk wasn’t necessary, and unfortunately, it has backfired.
