Messi congratulates Dembélé on winning the Ballon d'Or | OneFootball

The Frenchman was awarded in Paris after a breakthrough season at PSG and recalled the advice he received during his time in Barcelona, while the Pulga did not miss the opportunity to send him a warm congratulation.

In a gala-filled Théâtre du Châtelet, Ousmane Dembélé lifted his first Ballon d'Or, putting the finishing touch on a dream season. At 28, the PSG forward reached the top after winning five titles with Luis Enrique's team, where he shone as a star in the Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup. His stats back him up: 53 matches, 35 goals, and 16 assists.

The recognition had a special resonance for Argentine football. From Miami, Lionel Messi was quick to congratulate him with an affectionate message on social media: “Grande Ous!!! Congratulations, I'm very happy for you. You deserve it”. Quite the praise, given that the Argentine, owner of eight Ballon d'Ors, was key in the formation of the French attacker during his time in Barcelona.

The bond between them began in 2017, when the Catalan club paid 150 million euros to secure the young promise from Rennes and Borussia Dortmund. They shared the locker room for four and a half years, where the Rosario native became a reference for a Dembélé who was dealing with recurring injuries.

The European champion himself recalled that period on several occasions: “I had a very good relationship with Messi from day one. My locker was next to his and he gave me a lot of advice. For me, he is the greatest, someone unique. I am proud to have played with him.”

Between 2017 and 2021, they played 95 matches together, accumulating almost 5,000 minutes on the field and participating in 15 combined goals. Messi imparted discipline and work habits that the Frenchman adopted over time. “He told me to be serious if I wanted to achieve my dreams. I started observing everything he did on the field,” he said in an interview.

Now, having become the most outstanding player on the planet, Dembélé has not forgotten those lessons. In his speech in Paris, he stated: “I have learned a lot from my past mistakes, like the injuries at Barcelona. I am more serious and focused thanks to mentors like Messi. This Ballon d'Or shows that perseverance pays off.”

The Parisian night, on the same stage where Messi was honored eight times, was marked as the highest point in the career of the PSG attacker. And from afar, amidst mates and relaxation in Miami,

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