Ousmane Dembélé’s triumph as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner in Paris was a moment of redemption for the Frenchman.
From his breakout at Dortmund to his Barcelona stint and now as a leading man in PSG’s team, it has been a long journey for Dembele.
Dortmund Breakout
The 28-year-old winger’s rise began at Borussia Dortmund, where a €15 million investment to get him from Rennes in 2016 turned into a €105 million windfall just a year later as Barcelona signed him to replace Neymar who moved to Paris Saint Germain.
Barcelona Struggles
Dembele’s Barcelona stint was plagued by injuries and disciplinary issues, as he got drowned in Barcelona’s financial woes.
The Catalans eventually lost Dembélé to Paris Saint-Germain for just €50 million in 2023.
PSG Redemption
In Paris, he has experienced a resurgence under Luis Enrique culminating in a Champions League win last season.
Dembélé’s Balon d’Or now adds immense commercial value to both player and club, as PSG would now see their initial outlay as a bargain.
He would now hope to build upon his last season’s form when he returns from the injuries that has ruled him out of action for the most part of the season.
