Ousmane Dembele: The Ballon d'Or Winner Who Loves Gaming and the Pain of Being Underestimated

If five years ago, anyone had said Ousmane Dembele would win the Ballon d'Or, they would have surely been heavily criticized. However, perhaps after being underestimated too much and finding a mentor who understands him, Dembele has proven he deserves respect and recognition.

A Genius Hidden Among the "Harmless"

Ousmane Dembele, once seen as a talent with potential to become one of the world's best players, finally "awakened" after a long journey full of ups and downs, turning what seemed like a fading note in football history into a shining star in the Parisian sky on the morning of September 23rd. He - Dembele Officially Crowned Ballon d'Or 2025 Winner. Exactly four years after Xavi’s prediction in 2021, Dembele has shown he can achieve it brilliantly. Back then, Xavi said about his former pupil: “If used correctly, Dembele could become the best player in the world.”. Of course, at that time, people thought Xavi was encouraging and motivating Dembele. Nobody expected it to come true this year.

Dembele’s journey is a story of persistence, transformation, and growth. More precisely, the boy once labeled as a night-long gamer and undisciplined youth has become a responsible man. After joining Barcelona in 2017 for a record fee of £135.5 million, Dembele faced countless challenges.

He was bought to replace Neymar and was expected to perform better than the Brazilian star. Unfortunately, Barcelona was not the right place for Dembele. Injuries, inconsistent form, and attitude doubts prevented him from fully realizing his potential in his early years at Nou Camp. Yet, relentless effort eventually brought him to the top. More accurately, only when Dembele moved to PSG did he truly feel like a “fish in water.”

The 2024/25 season was when Dembele truly shone. He not only helped Paris Saint-Germain achieve a historic treble of Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the Champions League but also scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists. This achievement was even more impressive as he was named the Best Player of the season. Ultimately, Dembele surpassed stars like Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal to be announced at the 2025 Ballon d'Or gala.

Enrique: Dembele’s Benefactor

The key to Dembele’s major transformation was the change in how PSG utilized him. When Mbappe left, PSG needed a new star, and Dembele seized the opportunity. But that alone wasn’t enough. Under coach Luis Enrique’s guidance, Dembele was assigned a new role — as a central striker instead of just a winger. It’s not that Enrique doubted Dembele, but he knew this was the best way for his former “discarded” Barca player to shine brightly.

This was a crucial turning point, allowing him to get closer to the opponent’s goal, have more scoring chances, and develop a diverse, unpredictable, and increasingly effective finishing ability over time. Coach Enrique also encouraged Dembele to be more ambitious and set high goals, repeatedly chanting “Ballon d'Or, Ballon d'Or” in the locker room. When fueled by such aspirations and given maximum support, Dembele seized the moment perfectly.

Under Enrique’s mentorship, Dembele truly transformed. His change wasn’t limited to football alone. Contrary to his turbulent time at Barcelona, Dembele made significant personal life changes. After getting married and becoming a father, he learned to mature and care more for himself. He worked hard with nutrition and recovery specialists, helping him maintain better fitness and avoid injuries.

However, the most important change was in Dembele’s mindset. He became more aware of the importance of professionalism and discipline in his career. Now, he limits his gaming. He still plays, but only for entertainment. His passion is balanced — no more binge eating fast food, drinking soda, and gaming all night until he arrives at training with tired eyes and yawning mouth. These factors helped him overcome career challenges and shine as he does now.

A memorable day in Dembele’s life. Nothing is more fulfilling for a player than being honored with the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. Now, everyone waits to see how Dembele will perform and express himself in the upcoming period — a season where PSG is eager to defend their championship title Champions League and Dembele will remain the number one hope for that goal. It’s not easy but not impossible. PSG fans believe Dembele will explode even more because he also wants to hold the Ballon d'Or trophy again next year in his football career.

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