After 10 years and 60 caps, can Ousmane Dembélé finally ignite for France? | OneFootball

Ballon d'Or winner last September after reinventing himself at PSG, Ousmane Dembélé is still seeking the same influence for France. Now 29 with 60 caps, he was subdued in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Senegal as Les Bleus pursue a third star.

According to L'Équipe, he has seven international goals, only three in his last 20 caps. An assist against Brazil in Boston on 26 March ended a 25-cap drought, yet his numbers trail the output he now delivers for his club.

His record at finals remains mixed. Dropped after France's 2018 opener with Australia, he played only briefly thereafter, then injury cut short Euro 2021. At the 2022 World Cup he assisted against Australia and Poland, faded versus Morocco, and was replaced on 41 minutes in the final.

Euro 2024 brought four starts in five, a won penalty against Poland and a lively quarter-final cameo against Portugal, but little consistency. Since then he has mixed opportunities with flashes, rather than a sustained run.

After a thigh injury against Ukraine on 5 September 2025, he re-emerged on 26 March 2026 by teeing up Mbappé in a 2-1 win over Brazil from the right. Against Senegal he improved after half-time, then made way on 80 minutes before Bradley Barcola struck on 82.

Didier Deschamps has handled him cautiously, stressing everything depends on his body. This season Dembélé logged 2,200 minutes for PSG and 140 for France, far fewer than the previous 3,488. Around 80 to 90 percent fit, he repeats short high-intensity runs and had no physical issues against Senegal. France need his graft and imagination, and time remains to build rhythm.

Source: L'Équipe