Dembélé reveals how Messi shaped his evolution in Barcelona
PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé reflected on his time playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona and explained the shift in his approach to the game.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Author: Кирилл Венедиктов
PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé has opened up about his formative years at Barcelona, highlighting the profound influence that playing alongside Lionel Messi had on his development.
When I was 18 to 20, I tried to play as effectively as possible to get a reaction from the crowd. However, over time, I began to focus on efficiency. At Barça, I was surrounded by the best players in the world. I played with Leo Messi. He did everything with maximum efficiency. I learned a lot from him. Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé spent six seasons at the Camp Nou between 2017 and 2023 before moving to PSG. His transition from a player seeking spectacle to one prioritized by tactical utility reflects the lasting impact of his time sharing the pitch with the Argentine icon.