Ronaldinho Hails Ousmane Dembélé as PSG’s Spark: A Star Reborn and a Ballon d’Or Contender?
In the heat of this season’s Champions League quarter-finals, Brazilian and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has singled out Ousmane Dembélé as the player that has most impressed him — and for good reason.
The mercurial winger, who now plies his trade at Paris Saint-Germain, has risen like a phoenix after years of criticism, injury setbacks, and inconsistent form during his time at Barcelona. And if anyone understands flair, unpredictability, and raw attacking brilliance, it’s Ronaldinho.
Speaking to L’Équipe, the football icon didn't hold back in his admiration:
“There’s Ousmane Dembélé at PSG. I like him a lot. He has a slightly Brazilian style. He’s disconcerting, he invents, he provokes. He’s often unreadable and, what’s more, he scores a lot of goals."
📈 From Barcelona Doubts to PSG Delight
Let’s talk numbers:
Since joining PSG from Barcelona in the summer of 2023 for €50 million, Dembélé has racked up a stunning 32 goals and 8 assists in 40 matches this season — numbers that paint a different picture from his patchy years at the Camp Nou.
It’s clear that the Frenchman has found a system — and maybe a level of freedom — that brings out the best in him. Once written off as a €145 million flop, he’s now rewriting his legacy in Paris.
🌟 Opinion: The Magic of Confidence and the Weight of Patience
Dembélé's resurgence is a reminder that not every young talent blooms under pressure. His time at Barcelona was riddled with injuries and the burden of being “the next Neymar.” But at PSG, he seems liberated, playing with joy and expressiveness — traits Ronaldinho once embodied.
In truth, Ronaldinho calling Dembélé “Brazilian in style” is possibly the biggest compliment a flair player can receive. And if PSG’s Champions League charge continues, there’s genuine talk of Dembélé entering Ballon d’Or conversations. After all, if form, impact, and trophies define greatness in a season — he’s ticking all the boxes.
🏆 Could 2025 Be Dembélé’s Year?
With PSG topping Ligue 1, surging into the Champions League semi-finals, and Dembélé in career-best form, this could be his moment. A Ballon d’Or may seem like a fantasy, but then again — so did Ronaldinho in his prime.
⚽ From floundering to flourishing, Dembélé’s story is a powerful lesson in timing, trust, and turning things around.