The spectacular rise of Ousmano dembélé: the new icon of PSG after Mbappe

In a world of football obsessed with glamor superstar, Ousmane dembélé He wrote quietly one of the most unexpected redemption stories of sport. Once seen as a Imperfect prodigyDembélé has now become the symbolic Torchbearer of a new Saint-Germain (PSG), which is remodeling after the Mbappé era.

New PSG icon that emerges from the shade of Mbappe

When Barcelona signed dembélé for 105 million euros (about 112 million dollars), it was a risky bet on potential. Frequent accidents, inconsistent performances and questionable discipline have transformed him into a felt story. The narrative one, however, was rewritten in PSG.

It is undeniable that Kyian Mbappé’s The departure marked a turning point both in the tactical structure and in the psychological dynamics of PSG. Mbappé, with his natural talent and his exceptional competitive spirit, was once the soul of the team, but at the same time, a huge shadow that weighed heavily on any other component of the system. Each comedy revolved around him, tactics were built to adapt to him and the media spotlight, of course, were always on Mbappé.

Therefore, when the main marker of all time of the club left Paris to join Real Madrid, many feared that the PSG would fall into crisis, but unexpectedly, that the “liberation” became the catalyst for a transformation within the PSG team. No longer excessively dependent on a single individual, the style of play has become more balanced, flexible and cohesive. In this new tactical landscape, Dembélé emerged as an irreplaceable “creative nucleus”.

After a quiet first season at PSG with only 6 goals, Dembélé exploded in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring 35 goals in all competitions. His rebirth was crucial for the historical triumph of the PSG Champions League and their research by the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Under Luis Enrique, Dembélé was no longer just a rapid wing. It has evolved into a “tactical number 7”, which is drifting centrally, connecting the game and making critical decisions in the last third. Fluid wheel with artists of the caliber of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doe and Goncalo Ramos, helping to form a dynamic and unpredictable striker.

Also lined up as “False 9” in the main matches, Dembélé has showed off his versatility, nailing a winning goal against Liverpool in Anfield on 11 March. That goal transformed a 0-1 home defeat into an anchor of salvation

Auto -Riform and contender for Ballon d’Or

Once known for a little discipline, from the arrival late and binge to skip the appropriate meals, Dembélé has experienced a complete lifestyle shift. After being left by the team against Arsenal in October 2024 for not having satisfied the professional standards of the coach Luis Enrique, he returned stronger, more clear and more resilient.

According to PSG’s fitness staff, Dembélé seems to be “revived” after the coach’s hard decision, becoming one of the most dedicated players in the gym and spending hours improve his conditioning and diet. This change allowed him to maintain peak performance during an exhausting season, becoming the first choice of Luis Enrique in various large companies, from the defeat of Manchester City to the Champions League, to triumph against Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Club World Cup.

Unlike Mbappe or Neymar, Dembélé does not thrive on highlights or titles. He is not chasing the cameras, but his fingerprints are on all the main victories of the PSG: from the dismantling of Man City to the demolition of the semifinal of the World Cup of the Real Madrid club, where he marked and assisted while Mbappe has vanished.

Now, although Mbappé has finished the season with 46 goals and 6 assists and Lamine Yamal and Mohamed Salah who produce convincing cases, Dembélé is the heartbeat of an unbeaten PSG that chases their sixth title. A recent survey The team showed that 44% of French fans favors Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or, in front of Yamal and Mbappe (both of 21%).

Once the face of disappointment, dembélé is now the symbol of redemption. It shows that patience and transformation can unlock size. If PSG lifts the Club World Cup, Dembélé will not only be part of the story, it will be at the center.