Ousmane Dembélé, the 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Spain forward, opened up in a lengthy interview with Marca. The Parisian number 10 discussed, among other things, winning his second Champions League title, playing in the World Cup with the French national team, Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and his move to PSG from FC Barcelona in 2023, along with the influence of coach Luis Enrique.
Dembélé: “It was a very different match from last season’s.”
What are your feelings about this second Champions League title? Is it more special than the first?
Yes, I think the second one is a bit more special. Of course, the first one was exceptional, but the second one was too, and it was a very different match from last season’s. Against Inter, I think we controlled the game better when we were ahead.
This time it was a bit more difficult; we conceded the first goal and had to stay in the game to come back. We knew Arsenal defended very well, we didn’t have many chances, but in the end we won by one goal, and we are champions.
Dembélé: “We’ve shown these last two years that we can still win this trophy.”
Where are the limits of this PSG? Have you managed to impose your style of play with authority?
Yes, that’s it, and neither the coach, nor the president, nor the sporting advisor sets any limits for us. Every season, from the very beginning, we try to win every trophy. We know it’s something special, even though there are some very, very strong teams, and we’ve shown these last two years that we can still win this trophy. We try to demonstrate that in every match.
Dembélé: “We’re going to try to be even stronger next season.”
And can PSG and Ousmane continue to improve?
Of course, we can improve. We have excellent players, including young ones. I’ve also improved a lot under Luis Enrique; I have a bit more experience, but there’s a very young group that will continue to improve a lot and gain a lot of experience, even though they already have some at 20. But I think we’re going to continue to improve; we’re going to try to be even stronger next season.
Do you cover more ground per game with PSG or with the French national team?
It depends, but I think it’s difficult to say, because at Paris Saint-Germain, I play more centrally and I probably run more. In every game, I want to give my all; I want to try to help the team. We know that I’m not the one who covers the most ground in the team. I know Doué covered 15 kilometers in the final, it’s incredible. I don’t cover that much, but we try not to stop and to work hard.
Dembélé: “I can do a bit of both.”
Does your role change with the French national team? Do you also want to play more centrally like at PSG?
I can do a bit of both. In March, I also played there when the coach implemented a system where the forwards made a lot of runs, and we didn’t have many players in the squad capable of playing on the right, left, or up front.
We also tried to destabilize the opposition a bit and be less predictable to have more options. And yes, with the French national team, I can play on the left, right, or in the center, a bit like at Paris Saint-Germain.
Dembélé: “So we’ll be a team under a lot of pressure.”
Do you feel like favorites for this World Cup?
There are a lot of favorites, you know, and that doesn’t mean much anymore in football. Many teams are favorites in this competition. Besides, we know that the French national team reached the final in the last two editions. So we’ll be a team under a lot of pressure, but we’re staying focused on our objective. Before thinking about the round of 16 or the quarterfinals, we have to manage the group stage well.
Do France and Spain have contrasting styles?
Yes, perhaps. They’ve been playing like that for years, with very high-level players. And we also have a very good team that uses the ball a lot. Furthermore, all the players play for big clubs and participate in major competitions. I think they are two different styles. In Spain, ball possession is innate. But I think it will be very interesting. This World Cup won’t be easy for either the French or the Spanish.
Dembélé: “It’s an exceptional individual trophy, but that will come later.”
Does the defeat in the final in Qatar still weigh on you?
No, of course, we were disappointed, but that was four years ago. A lot has changed within the French national team. And I think a little bit within the Argentinian team as well. We’re perfectly aware of that. But it motivates us to do better at this World Cup.
Is the Ballon d’Or also at stake at this World Cup? Do you feel you’ve already achieved your goal with the Champions League?
Yes, it’s clearly important too. As I’ve said many times, it’s an exceptional individual trophy, but that will come later. The main objective was, of course, to win the Champions League with PSG and another World Cup with the French national team. That’s exceptional. So, before thinking about all that, we need to stay very focused.
Dembélé: “We’ll have to watch out for him, because he’s capable of winning again.”
You know Messi well, do you think he’s capable of repeating this feat? Of winning a World Cup…
Of course, he can win every trophy possible. I’ve already seen him at Barcelona.
But he’s four years older now…
That doesn’t change anything… He’s the best I’ve ever seen, the best player football has ever known. He’s still very dangerous. Difficult to stop, even at 38. He may be that age, but he’ll always have those qualities. We’ll have to watch out for him, because he’s capable of winning again.
Dembélé: “He’s a leader, the captain of our team, and a very important player.”
Have you spoken with Kylian? What’s your opinion of him after this season?
They’ve been very unfair to him. They’re exaggerating a bit in their criticism of Kylian, because he’s an incredible player. He’s a fantastic person off the pitch, because I’ve known him for a long time. Sometimes they go too far with their criticism, just because it’s Kylian Mbappé.
You shouldn’t be so hard on him. Whether he ties his shoelaces or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not… It’s exaggerated. Because he’s still a human being and a player of exceptional quality. In any case, here with the French national team, he gets along very well with us. He’s a leader, the captain of our team, and a very important player.
Dembélé: “It was the right time to leave the club.”
And how do you see Barcelona? Do you think you made the best decision now?
Yes, I do. Looking back, I believe it was the right time to leave the club. Even though I was very attached to Barça, which I’ve supported since childhood. But for me, it was important to sign for Paris Saint-Germain.
I spoke with Luis Enrique, who had wanted me for a long time and whom I know well. And of course, with the president and the sporting director. And it was an excellent decision considering what happened at Paris Saint-Germain these last three years, and I’m delighted.
When you signed for Paris Saint-Germain, do you remember the call from Luis Enrique?
Yes, I remember it very well. I was on tour in Los Angeles with Barcelona when Luis Enrique called me. He explained his plans to me, his vision of my role on the team, and how he envisioned our future together at Paris Saint-Germain. His words immediately convinced me.
Dembélé: “Since I arrived at PSG, they’ve optimized everything.”
From the moment I arrived in Paris, a clear improvement was noticeable. After some difficult times in Barcelona, what really changed? Is it a question of maturity or physical preparation?
A bit of both. That said, I already felt much better in recent years at Barcelona. In 2021-2022, I was 24 or 25 years old, and things had improved considerably. My start in Spain was very difficult due to injuries, but in Paris, I continued the momentum I’d built on the last two seasons in Barcelona.
I gained experience and learned to understand my body better, which helped me enormously. Furthermore, I’m fortunate to have Luis Enrique and his staff, who manage me perfectly. Since my arrival at PSG, they have optimized everything: my diet, my playing time… All of this has allowed me to regain my best level.
Dembélé “will forever remain a legend among French coaches.”
Are you looking forward to saying goodbye to Didier Deschamps at the World Cup? And what do you think of Zidane’s potential arrival?
Didier Deschamps has contributed enormously to the French national team over the years. He has played a crucial role for all of us. Personally, he shaped my career, being the only national team coach I have ever known. He always gave us invaluable advice and was always there to congratulate and encourage us. He is simply an exceptional coach.
His international record with Les Bleus is remarkable: a World Cup, a Nations League, and several finals. Despite a few setbacks, he will forever remain a legend among French coaches. We are delighted to have him with us and hope to end this adventure in style. He and his staff share the same ambition: to go all the way in the competition. But we will have to remain very focused, because nothing will be easy.
And Zidane?
Regarding Zidane, I faced him when he was coaching Real Madrid and I was coaching Barcelona. He’s the greatest, a true icon of French football. An exceptional coach who won three consecutive Champions Leagues with Real Madrid. We hope to welcome him to the French national team bench one day. I’m convinced he would do a fantastic job, because he’s a born winner.
Dembélé: “Yes, it’s the ultimate.”
Winning a second World Cup, is that the ultimate dream?
Yes, it’s the ultimate. For a top-level professional footballer, winning the World Cup with your country is the greatest trophy imaginable. Being able to lift that trophy again is, of course, a dream. But, as I said, we’ll have to stay focused, because the competition is tough.
Do you consider Spain the favorite?
Spain, fresh from winning the European Championship, is certainly among the favorites. But there’s also Argentina, the reigning world champion, Germany, Portugal, and England. They are all great teams. That said, we must also be wary of the less favored teams.
