'A special player': Rakitic heaps praise on Ousmane Dembélé

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·23 September 2025

'A special player': Rakitic heaps praise on Ousmane Dembélé

Ivan Rakitic (37 years old), midfielder for Shabab Al-Shabab and former FC Barcelona player, spoke to L’Équipe about Ousmane Dembélé (28 years old), forward for Paris Saint-Germain. The former Croatian captain expressed his admiration for his ex-teammate's career, considering him capable of winning a Ballon d'Or, and highlighted the importance of Luis Enrique in his resurgence.

Rakitic: "I immediately told my teammates that this guy had something special"

"When he arrived in Barcelona, I immediately told my teammates that this guy had something special and that he could become a Ballon d'Or winner. He can make huge differences thanks to his qualities, and he does it with great ease.

Rakitic: "He fully deserves it"

I am happy and proud to see what he has accomplished, but also to see that he is happy. I think it's very important for him to have met Luis Enrique. It might be the beginning of several years of domination at the highest level. I hope he won't have any more injuries. But I am sure—and I see it—that he is a player who enjoys playing. We had wonderful moments together in Barcelona, and I am happy he made it. He fully deserves it."

Talking about Ousmane Dembélé as a "special" player, as Ivan Rakitic did, is not limited to his bewildering dribbles or his ability to unbalance any defense. Everywhere he has been, from Rennes to Dortmund, then Barcelona and now Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman has left both a sporting and human mark.

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His teammates often mention a player capable of lighting up a match with an unpredictable burst of speed, but also a charming man, discreet off the field and always smiling in the locker room. This dual aspect explains the admiration he inspires: his unique technical skills make him a constant threat to opponents, while his cheerful and respectful nature makes him indispensable in a team. Dembélé embodies this rare blend of football genius and unifying personality, which enhances his aura wherever he has played.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.