PARIS, Sept 23 (The African Portal) – “When used properly, he could become the best player in the world.”
That was former Barcelona coach Xavi’s bold prediction about Ousmane Dembele in 2021, a statement many dismissed at the time.
Four years later, Dembele has proved him right. The 28-year-old forward won the Ballon d’Or on Monday, capping a career that has been marked by injuries, inconsistency and doubts about his professionalism.
Dembele, who joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 in a deal worth 135.5 million pounds ($166 million), had long been labeled a wasted talent. He broke down in tears while thanking his family during the ceremony in Paris, a moment underscoring the struggles he endured before reaching football’s highest individual honor.
His resurgence came after a standout 2024-25 season with Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 35 goals and added 14 assists. His performances helped PSG win the French league, French Cup and Champions League treble, and reach the Club World Cup final.
From January onward, Dembele was statistically the most in-form forward in Europe. He outshone Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who led Europe’s top five leagues in goal involvements, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who scored more goals, and Barcelona’s rising stars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Dembele’s transformation began before leaving Barcelona but accelerated after joining PSG. He was urged to embrace ambition, and following Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, coach Luis Enrique gave him a central role.
“We want goals from you and we want you to be egotistical,” Enrique told him, according to staff close to the team. Coaches repeatedly reminded him of one target: “Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or.”
