The race for football’s most prestigious individual honour is heating up, and Ousmane Dembele stands at the centre of it all. After guiding Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph last season, the Frenchman is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d’Or in Paris.
His main challenger is Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who dazzled in La Liga and on the international stage. Yet many analysts believe Dembele’s Champions League heroics give him the edge. The prospect of the PSG winger lifting his first Ballon d’Or has football fans around the world buzzing with anticipation.
But even as he prepares for possible individual glory, Dembele is looking back on his journey — and especially on the influence of Lionel Messi, the player who shaped his love for Barcelona.
Ousmane Dembele Credits Lionel Messi for Inspiring His Barcelona Journey Reflects on His Time with Lionel Messi
In a recent interview with Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, Ousmane Dembele spoke candidly about his relationship with Lionel Messi during their years together at Barcelona. The Frenchman revealed that Messi had a lasting impact on his career, both as a teammate and as a mentor.
“My relationship with Messi was wonderful from the first day,” Dembele recalled. “He told me that I had to be serious if I wanted to achieve my dreams. He is the one who made me love Barcelona.” Those words sum up the bond that quickly grew between the two players after Dembele’s arrival in 2017.
Messi’s influence went beyond the pitch. For Ousmane Dembele Credits Lionel Messi for Inspiring His Barcelona Journey, sharing the same dressing room with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was an education in professionalism, discipline, and excellence. It left him not only with unforgettable memories but also with lessons that continue to guide his career.
Four Years Alongside the Barcelona Greats
Ousmane Dembele Credits Lionel Messi for Inspiring His Barcelona Journey’s spell at Barcelona was filled with ups and downs, but the highlight was undoubtedly playing alongside some of the greatest players of the modern era. He spent four seasons with Messi before the Argentine’s emotional exit in 2021, and during that time, he grew into a key figure at Camp Nou.
He shared the pitch with legends such as Sergio Busquets, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez, but Messi remained his biggest source of inspiration. Dembele has openly credited the Argentine for helping him mature, both in his footballing approach and in his understanding of what it means to wear the Barcelona badge.
Reflecting on his time at Camp Nou, Dembele described those years as crucial for his development. While injuries and inconsistency sometimes disrupted his progress, the environment allowed him to learn from some of the best, shaping the player he has become at PSG today.
Favourite Teammates and Five-a-Side Choices
When asked about the best teammates he has played with, Ousmane Dembele did not hesitate to mention several Barcelona icons. “Messi, Aubameyang, Reus, Busquets, Pedri,” he said, highlighting the mix of talent he has enjoyed alongside throughout his career.
Dembele also revealed his dream five-a-side team, which heavily favoured Barcelona players. In goal, he chose Marc-André ter Stegen, with Samuel Umtiti as his lone defender. The midfield was anchored by Sergio Busquets, while Lionel Messi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led the attack.
Interestingly, Pedri is the only player from Dembele’s favourite list still playing for Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder is expected to finish inside the top five of this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, showing the ongoing influence of the club Dembele still holds close to his heart.
PSG Triumph and Ballon d’Or Momentum
Since leaving Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele has elevated his career at Paris Saint-Germain. Last season, he played a decisive role in helping PSG capture their long-awaited Champions League crown, a success that many believe has placed him ahead of Lamine Yamal in the Ballon d’Or race.
His explosive dribbling, creativity, and maturity on the big stage have transformed him from a talented but inconsistent winger into one of the world’s most complete forwards. PSG’s attacking unit thrived with Dembele at its core, proving that his peak years may have only just begun.
This rise in form, coupled with the story of his Barcelona past and Messi’s mentorship, makes his Ballon d’Or candidacy even more compelling. Fans see not just an individual star but a player shaped by iconic influences, now stepping into his own spotlight.
The Messi Legacy in Ousmane Dembele Credits Lionel Messi for Inspiring His Barcelona Journey’s Career
What stands out most from Ousmane Dembele Credits Lionel Messi for Inspiring His Barcelona Journey’s reflection is how deeply Lionel Messi impacted his journey. While the Frenchman is now leading PSG to new heights, his admiration for Barcelona and respect for Messi remain central to his story.
Dembele admits that Messi’s advice about being serious and focused became a turning point in his approach to football. That discipline, once instilled by the Argentine maestro, is what now allows him to perform at the very highest level.
As Dembele stands on the brink of Ballon d’Or glory, his story serves as a reminder of the enduring influence Messi has had on countless players. For Dembele, the connection is personal: the player who once inspired him to love Barcelona may have indirectly inspired the performances that could crown him the world’s best.
