Ousmane Dembele explains big changes he’s made to put him on road to Ballon d’Or glory

Ousmane Dembele was in danger of failing to realise his potential but has just produced a career-best season as PSG claim Champions League glory – which now has him in the hunt for the Ballon d’Or

Ousmane Dembele believes a more professional approach to life has changed his career as the PSG star is tipped to win the Ballon d’Or after proving a leading light for a PSG side that finally won the Champions League.

The Frenchman has flourished since leaving Barcelona and a positional switch made him a key cog in Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team. Dembele’s numbers skyrocketed, especially post-Christmas, as the 28-year-old went on to score 33 times.

His exploits on the European stage have put him in pole position to claim football’s most sought after individual prize. Dembele has long been tipped for big things but had struggled to realise his potential at Barcelona and, before that, Borussia Dortmund.

Now the forward has confessed that a mindset shift really helped him with his approach to fitness and recovery allowing him to reach new heights – which is in stark contrast to his attitude previously.

He told France Football, via Mundo Deportivo: “Now I’m a little more professional. I was already professional, but now I’m even more so. Now, even on my days off, I like to go to the training centre, recover, work with the physios. Before, I would go home, play NBA 2K, watch a bit of TV. I was also younger, it’s normal.

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“But, in the end, you pay a high price, and I saw that especially at Barcelona . I arrived there young, I played from 20 to 26, and I had a lot of physical problems. I learned a lot, and it helped me. Now I know my body much better, and that’s why I get injured less. I know when I’m good, but also when I need to slow down, pace myself in training.”

Dembele has been installed among those most likely to claim the Ballon d’Or. Often the player who lands the award has claimed one of the major trophies that year, which is why the PSG star is the hunt alongside the likes of Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.

“To begin with, I hope to be among the 30 nominees”, he told France Football about his own chances of winning the Ballon d’Or. “I have had difficult years with injuries, poor performances as well. This season I think I have been consistent, so we will see what happens.

“It would already be exceptional to have my name on the list. And being one of the favourites is already a great victory, although I hope to win it someday.”

The last Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or was Karim Benzema, who did so back in 2022. Lionel Messi is the only player from PSG to have claimed the gong.

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