Ousmane Dembélé, the 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and French national team striker, spoke to M6 in an interview broadcast this Sunday evening. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner discussed, among other things, the Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest on Saturday (kick-off at 6 p.m., CET6) and the World Cup this summer with Les Bleus, as well as his work dealing with injuries and the influence of coach Luis Enrique.
Dembélé: “Yes, I’ll be there!”
How are you? Did you have a minor scare?
I’m much better. I had a minor scare, but nothing serious.
What was it?
A slight tightness in my calf. I preferred not to take any risks.
Will you be there on the 30th?
Yes, I’ll be there!
Are you calm about injuries, or do you get frustrated?
At first, yes, when you’re young, but now, especially at PSG, I try to manage it. Last year, I was lucky with few injuries. But it’s part of a career. You try to avoid it by working hard and being careful every day. I’m taking it more calmly now.
Dembélé: “The coach managed the squad very well.”
How can you not be afraid?
With training and matches, you try to build confidence. I’m passionate about football, I want to play, and I try to forget the negative to focus on the game. Afterwards, it can happen. But we try to be careful.
Is it impossible to do better right now?
It’s been an incredible year. Last season, we won almost every trophy. We didn’t have much of a break, but the coach managed the squad very well. It wasn’t easy; there are also the teams that are starting to know us. We try to be unpredictable and we want to finish strong.
Is it different approaching the final when you’re aiming for the title?
No, we have a bit more experience. The coach tells us to take it easy. We’re with our families, we’re smiling at training.
Dembélé: “Over the last two years, they were the toughest opponent to face.”
A historic 5-4 against Bayern Munich? Is that total football?
Yes, that’s it. It was an incredible level from both teams. Everyone attacked without hesitation. Over the last two years, they were the toughest opponent to face.
A sense of pride and pleasure in showcasing this style of football?
Of course, it makes all the kids want to become professionals. We try to do the job and set an example. Everyone will remember this match.
How do you recover from it?
We can’t do this every week, we saw that the return was different (smiles). We’re recovering calmly and we did the job in Munich to reach the final.
Dembélé: “He’s exceptional and we hope he’ll stay here at PSG for a very long time.”
Luis Enrique, his secret?
We can’t say (laughs). He’s a top-level coach. We saw that even at FC Barcelona and now at PSG. He’s a coach who has a clear vision and he tries to convey it to all his teams. He has a lot of energy, you can see it in press conferences. He’s a very good coach, he’s exceptional and we hope he’ll stay here at PSG for a very long time.
What did he see in you that others hadn’t seen?
Many saw things in me. There are quality players around me too. Whether it’s with Luis Enrique or the players I’m on the pitch with, they’re all top-quality players, and I’m also trying to improve. I’ve questioned myself a lot. Luis Enrique asked me to lead by example, both on and off the pitch. I’ve had a lot more responsibility. I’m simply trying to do my job.
Dembélé: “He’s the solution, and we keep going.”
Is your defensive work his philosophy?
Yes, that’s it. We attack and defend together. He passes that on. Especially to us attackers, we don’t really like defending, to be honest (smiles). But it’s the solution, and we keep going.
When do you start dreaming about the Ballon d’Or?
In August (smiles). If everything has gone well during the season, then we start sending messages to the president to find out if we’re the favorites (smiles). It’s a childhood dream.
How do you avoid getting a big head?
We work hard, we have to keep our egos in check, even if they sometimes get the better of us. We have to stay calm.
A second Ballon d’Or?
We don’t think about it too much (smiles).
Dembélé: “If we’re good as a team, we can hope to go all the way.”
You still have to win the World Cup and prove yourself with Les Bleus?
Of course, the first step is the Champions League with PSG. Then there’s this World Cup, it’s extraordinary. I hope to play in my third. I hope to perform well, it’s a goal. Especially after the pain in 2022.
Why is it more difficult for you with the national team?
