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Samuel - June 5, 2025
Ousmane Dembele enjoyed a sensational 2024/25 campaign, arguably the finest of his career, firmly establishing himself among the world’s elite.
His explosive form surprised fans and pundits alike, especially given the injuries and inconsistencies that once clouded his immense potential. Now thriving at Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique, the Frenchman has finally come into his own.
Dembele capped off a phenomenal season with a historic treble, winning Ligue 1, the UEFA Champions League, and the Coupe de France. His performances have launched him into serious Ballon d’Or contention, with many tipping him as a frontrunner for football’s most prestigious individual accolade this September.
However, Dembele’s triumphant season wasn’t an overnight success; it was the culmination of a complex journey that we’re about to explore.
Dembele’s talent first burst onto the scene at Rennes and Borussia Dortmund, earning him a high-profile move to Barcelona in 2017.
However, his time at the Camp Nou was marred by injuries that stunted his growth and consistency. Across six seasons in La Liga, he never reached double digits in league goals, with his form and fitness constantly in question.
By 2023, a fresh start became essential, and PSG offered the perfect opportunity. Newly appointed coach Luis Enrique identified Dembele as a key figure for his system and made the winger a top priority. In his first season, Dembele laid the groundwork, contributing 11 goal involvements in Ligue 1 and four more in the Champions League while playing alongside Kylian Mbappe.
With Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, Dembele stepped up as the leader of PSG’s attack, embracing his expanded role with maturity and vision.
Under Luis Enrique’s evolving tactical setup, Dembele began to find more freedom in the final third. Whether deployed as a traditional winger or a “false nine,” he became the heartbeat of PSG’s offense, carving open defenses with blistering pace, instinctive movement, and creative unpredictability.
Enrique’s tactical flexibility allowed Dembele to drift into central zones or isolate defenders one-on-one, freedom he used to devastating effect.
Dembele’s domestic campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, starting with a bang and ending in glory.
His dribbling, acceleration, and creativity made him a nightmare for defenders, and he often delivered in crucial moments.
His form surged in January as he found the net almost every match, turning doubters into believers. A six-game scoring run and a hat-trick in PSG’s 5-2 demolition of Brest on February 1, 2025, highlighted his peak.
His dominance helped secure PSG’s fourth consecutive Ligue 1 title, and his efforts earned him two major honors: Ligue 1 Player of the Year and joint Top Scorer with 21 goals, sharing the accolade with Marseille’s Mason Greenwood.
While Dembele shone in Ligue 1, it was in the Champions League where he truly elevated his legacy. He ended the tournament with 8 goals and 6 assists in 15 matches, an elite return that earned him the UEFA Champions League Best Player of the Season award.
Among his standout moments was a match-winning performance against Manchester City in the group stage, where he led a stunning 4-2 comeback on January 22, 2025.
He followed it up with a hat-trick against Stuttgart to clinch qualification and a brace in the knockout playoffs against Brest.
His equalizer against Liverpool in the Round of 16 set the stage for a dramatic penalty shootout win.
In the quarterfinals, Dembele provided two assists across both legs against Aston Villa and continued his form with a goal and assist in the semifinals against Arsenal.
In the final against Inter Milan, he delivered two decisive assists as PSG stormed to a dominant 5-0 win, ending their Champions League drought in emphatic style.
Dembele’s extraordinary season makes him a genuine contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with his name now mentioned alongside Mohamed Salah, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal.
His domestic brilliance, combined with his Champions League heroics, gives him a complete and compelling résumé.
With no World Cup or Euros in 2024/25, performances at the club level, especially in UEFA Champions League carry even greater weight. If he plays a starring role in France’s Nations League campaign to final, that could further bolster his chances.
As a treble winner and the driving force behind PSG’s European triumph, Dembele has both the narrative and the numbers. Upcoming matches in the Club World Cup could provide one last showcase before Ballon d’Or votes are cast.
Dembele’s resurgence under Luis Enrique hasn’t just revived his career, it’s elevated him to world-class status.
He remains a central figure for both PSG and France, with chances to build further on his legacy in the Club World Cup and Nations League.
A Ballon d’Or win would place him alongside the legends of French football and further elevate his 2018 World Cup title and 2025 treble into a storied career.
His journey, marked by injuries, perseverance, and redemption has become a blueprint for resilience. Once doubted, Dembele is now a leader and a clutch performer on Europe’s grandest stages.
He has entered the conversation among the footballing elite, not as a rising star, but as a defining figure of the era.
Ousmane Dembele’s 2024/25 campaign is a defining chapter in his career, a season fueled by resilience, flair, and ambition.
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, he has reached new heights and proven himself on the biggest stages.
With a treble secured and the Ballon d’Or within reach, Dembele’s story is far from over. As he enters the prime of his career, one thing is clear: this is only the beginning of his greatness.
