Injury, PSG/Arsenal, Luis Enrique, World Cup… Dembélé opens up! | OneFootball

Ousmane Dembélé, the 29-year-old forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team, spoke to M6 in an interview broadcast this Sunday evening. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner notably discussed Saturday’s Champions League final against Arsenal in Budapest (kick-off at 6 p.m., broadcast on Canal+ and M6), as well as the World Cup to be played this summer with Les Bleus, without forgetting his work in dealing with injuries and the contribution of coach Luis Enrique.

Dembélé: “Yes, I’ll be there!”

How are you? You had a little scare?

I’m much better, I had a little scare but nothing worrying.

What was it?

A little tightness in my calf, I preferred not to take any risks.

Will you be there on the 30th?

Yes, I’ll be there!

Do you stay calm with injuries or do they drive you crazy?

At first yes, when you’re young, but now, especially at PSG, I try to manage that. Last year, I was lucky with few injuries. But it’s part of a career. We try to avoid them by working and being careful every day. I deal with it more calmly.

Dembélé: “the coach has managed the squad very well.”

How do you avoid being afraid?

With training and matches, we try to build confidence. I’m passionate about football, I want to play, and I try to forget the negative and focus on the game. After that, it can happen. But we try to be careful.

Is it impossible to do any better right now?

It’s been an incredible year. Last season, we won almost every trophy. We didn’t have much vacation, but the coach has managed the squad very well. It wasn’t easy, and there are also teams that are starting to know us well. We try to be unpredictable and we want to finish in style.

Is it different going into the final while trying to win the title?

No, we have a little more experience. The coach tells us to experience it calmly. We’re with our families, we’re smiling in training.

Dembélé: “Over the last 2 years, they were the most difficult opponent to face.”

A historic 5-4 against Bayern Munich? Is that total football?

Yes, that’s it. It was an incredible level from both teams. Everyone attacked without asking any questions. Over the last 2 years, they were the most difficult opponent to face.

Is it a source of pride and pleasure to show that kind of football?

Of course, it makes all children want to become professionals. We try to do our job and set an example. Everyone will remember that match.

How do you recover from it?

You can’t do that every week, we saw that the second leg was different (smile). We recover from it quietly and we did the job in Munich to reach the final.

Dembélé: “he is exceptional and we hope he will stay here at PSG for a very long time.”

Luis Enrique, what’s his recipe?

We can’t say it (laughs). He’s a top-level coach. We saw it even at FC Barcelona and now at PSG. He’s a coach with a clear idea and he tries to pass it on to all his teams. He has a lot of energy, you can see it in press conferences. He’s a very good coach, he is exceptional and we hope he will stay here at PSG for a very long time.

What did he see in you that others hadn’t seen?

A lot of people saw things in me. There are quality players around me too.. Whether it’s with Luis Enrique or the players I’m on the pitch with, they are top-quality players and I’m also trying to improve. I questioned myself a lot. Luis Enrique asked me to set an example, both on the pitch and off it. I’ve had much more responsibility. I’m just trying to do my job.

Dembélé: “that’s the solution and we keep going.”

Your defensive work, is that his philosophy?

Yes, that’s it. We attack and defend together. He passes that on. Especially to us forwards, because we don’t really like defending, to be honest (smile). But that’s the solution and we keep going.

At what point do you start dreaming of the Ballon d’Or?

In August (smile). If everything has gone well during the season, then we start sending a message to the president to find out if we’re favorites (smile). It’s a childhood dream.

How do you avoid getting a big head?

We work, you have to keep the ego in check even if it rises sometimes. You have to keep your head cool.

A second Ballon d’Or?

We’re not thinking about it too much (smile).

Dembélé: “If we are good collectively, we can hope to go all the way.”

Do you still need to win the World Cup and prove yourself with Les Bleus?

Of course, the first step is the Champions League with PSG. After that, there’s this World Cup, it’s extraordinary. I hope to play in my third one. I hope to perform, that’s an objective. Especially after the pain of 2022.

Why is it more difficult for you with the national team?

It’s a bit of everything, but I try to play my football. The coach tries to advise me. I try to give my very best with the national team. It’s not easy. It’s a team sport. If we are good collectively, we can hope to go all the way.

An opponent you fear?

All of them! (laughs). There are great nations. We know Spain is an exceptional nation, and so are Argentina and Brazil. There are a huge number of favorites. Anything can happen in one match. But if we stay focused collectively, we can do great things.

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