It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as the world’s greatest athletes: the one-time prodigy who struggles to find his footing, only to reach the pinnacle of his sport when all hope seems lost. But for Ousmane Dembélé, his journey from promising wonderkid to the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner is less of a fairy tale and more of a gritty, hard-earned redemption story.

For years, the comparison was always with Kylian Mbappé. The two Frenchmen were contemporaries, rising through the ranks at the same time and both blessed with explosive pace and game-changing talent. But while Mbappé quickly established himself as one of the best players on the planet, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and the 2018 World Cup, Dembélé’s career was a series of unfortunate events.

He earned a huge move to Barcelona in 2017 for a staggering transfer fee, initially reported to be around €105 million plus add-ons, but his time in Catalunya was plagued by injuries and questions about his professionalism. From 2017 to 2023, he suffered a remarkable 14 muscle injuries, missing over 700 days of football. The constant setbacks and time spent on the sidelines kept him from ever truly realizing his potential. The “Tortoise and the Hare” analogy, so often used in sports, has never been more fitting than for these two French superstars.

A Shock Transfer and a New Beginning

In a move that surprised many, Dembélé left Barcelona in 2023 to join Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €50.4 million. It was a step down from the footballing heights of Barcelona, but it turned out to be the change he desperately needed. The French capital offered a fresh start and a return to his home country, away from the intense scrutiny of the Spanish media and the immense pressure that had weighed on his shoulders for so long.

He arrived at PSG and spent his first season contributing to the team’s success in a supporting role. While the team won the league and cup double, the spotlight was still on Mbappé, who was coming off his best season with the club, scoring 44 goals across all competitions. Many assumed Dembélé would continue to be a secondary figure, a talented but inconsistent player who would play second fiddle to his more celebrated teammate.

But then, everything changed.

Mbappé’s highly anticipated departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 left a huge void at PSG. The club needed a new leader, a new talisman. With Mbappé gone, coach Luis Enrique looked at Dembélé and saw not a fragile winger, but the man who could lead his team to the promised land.

The Prophecy Fulfilled

Luis Enrique challenged Dembélé to be more selfish, to take on a more central role, and to focus on scoring goals in addition to his creative play. “When used properly, he could become the best player in the world,” former Barcelona boss Xavi had said years earlier. Finally, the prophecy came true.

Dembélé’s transformation in the 2024-25 season was nothing short of historic. He moved into a false nine position, where he had the freedom to roam, create, and finish. He found his rhythm, his confidence, and most importantly, he stayed healthy.

The statistics from his triumphant campaign speak for themselves: Dembélé scored 35 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, more than doubling his previous career best for goals in a single season. He was unstoppable in the Champions League, leading PSG to their first-ever title in the competition with a commanding performance in the knockout rounds, including a 5-0 final victory over Inter Milan. This performance led to him being crowned the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.

On a special night in Paris, Ousmane Dembélé’s journey came full circle. He beat out a field of world-class talents, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and his former teammate Kylian Mbappé, to win the Ballon d’Or. As he broke down in tears on stage, he wasn’t just accepting an award. He was accepting the culmination of a decade-long struggle—a struggle that had tested his character and pushed him to the brink.

In the end, the tortoise won the race. And for Ousmane Dembélé, it was well worth the