It's a season that will forever be etched in the memories of PSG fans . After years of ridicule and European disappointments, the capital club finally won its first Champions League title on June 1st. A moment in history that Ousmane Dembélé inevitably played a part in . Arriving in the capital in the summer of 2023, Dembélé took on a new dimension last summer following the departure of Kylian Mbappé. The new spearhead of the Parisian attack, the Vernon native has gained depth in his game, but also in his statistics this season. With 33 goals and 15 assists in 50 matches in all competitions, the player trained in Rennes has had a Ballon d'Or caliber season. Finally respected and considered one of the best strikers in the world, Ousmane Dembélé is no longer the same player he was twelve months ago.
With this new status and considered the major asset of PSG's well-oiled collective, the French international (56 caps, 7 goals) looked back on his magnificent season on PSG TV : " If I had imagined having a season like this with PSG? Yes, I came for that. I signed for PSG to experience moments like this. The season was exceptional individually and collectively. We want even more. Individually? It's not a bad result. Voted best player in the Champions League, that's exceptional. I was happy. When you know that the greatest have shone in this competition and you are told that you are the one who had the best season, it's exceptional. I wanted to have a great season, score a lot of goals and be more decisive. Being repositioned as a 9 helped me a lot, as did my teammates. The mentality has changed since the start of the season, especially in front of goal. "
Ousmane Dembélé believes he has had the best season of his career
A mentality that has been able to evolve thanks to Luis Enrique. Sometimes considered too harsh with Kylian Mbappé, the Spanish tactician managed to hit the mark with Ousmane Dembélé. Not hesitating to bench him during a clash against Arsenal in the Champions League at the start of the season, the Iberian coach knew how to activate the right levers to allow "Dembouz" to take a step forward in his career. Asked about the relationship he has with the former Barça coach, Dembélé did not hesitate to praise the merits of this fruitful collaboration: " When I signed, he gave me his trust. He gives me a lot of advice. And he gives me a lot of freedom. Being in a free role, I like that, being able to go left and right. " Free on the pitch, the PSG number 10 is nevertheless expected in the locker room. Considered a key figure due to his sporting status, the former Borussia Dortmund player gave more details on his role with his teammates:
" In the locker room, I remain myself. The coach asked me to set an example with my defensive effort. I remain the same. I laugh a lot, and when I have to be serious, I know how to be serious, even when I have to put in the effort. We spend more time with this team than our family, so bonds are created. It gives us confidence, and we've been able to achieve exceptional results this second season. We try to push ourselves upwards as a family. Victories create much more bonds, and we stay united. We all play together, and we have to make the effort together. " To conclude this extensive interview with the club's channel, Ousmane Dembélé was interviewed by his friend Blaise Matuidi, with whom he won the 2018 World Cup with France. Asked if it was the best season of his career, Dembélé didn't hide: "Yes, it's the best statistically. Even on a bit of everything. It's the best season of my career. Champions League, Ligue 1, all the titles... going for the C1, we often talk about it, it's hard. I had a lot of fun. When you have a season like that and you win the Champions League, it's magnificent." There's no doubt that it will certainly be so if he wins the Club World Cup and wins the Ballon d'Or on September 22. In any case, in this quest for the BO, Dembélé can count on the unwavering support of his president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi .
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