Ousmane Dembele: 3 Ways Prolific France and Paris St-Germain Striker Fulfilled Ballon d'Or Potential

Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele won his first Ballon d'Or after a breathtaking 2024/25 season.

The Frenchman, once doubted due to injuries and inconsistency, silenced critics with 35 goals, 14 assists, and a historic treble for PSG.

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Dembele’s journey from a fragile, inconsistent talent to a global football icon is one of football’s most inspiring transformations.

Pulse Sports looks at three things that turned Dembele into the player Xavi once predicted could “be the best in the world.”

Dembele’s rise to superstardom can be traced to his tactical evolution at PSG. After Kylian Mbappe’s departure to Real Madrid, Luis Enrique handed Dembele the keys to the attack, encouraging him to be more selfish and clinical.

This positional shift unlocked a new level of goal involvement. He not only surpassed his previous personal best but more than doubled it, contributing to 51 goals in all competitions. Dembele went from being a dazzling creator to a ruthless finisher, proving he could carry a team on his shoulders.

Crucially, the PSG staff reinforced this new mentality, repeatedly reminding him of the Ballon d’Or dream. This psychological push helped Dembele grow in confidence, inspiring him to embrace the pressure and deliver week in, week out on Europe’s biggest stages.

Another vital factor behind Dembele’s rise was his commitment to his physical health and professionalism. At Barcelona, he suffered 14 muscle injuries and spent more than two years sidelined, raising questions about his discipline and attitude. Late-night gaming sessions and poor nutrition made him the most-fined player at the club.

That all changed in late 2021 when Dembele married his wife Rima and became a father. Those close to him say it was the moment he matured and began to take his career seriously. He started working with physiotherapists at home, traveling to France for specialized treatments, and focusing on injury prevention.

He also began following a strict nutritional plan, employing a French nutritionist to maintain peak physical condition. The result was a player who could remain injury-free for multiple seasons and build the consistency required to perform at the highest level.

Dembele’s transformation was not just physical or tactical — it was mental. The once shy, inconsistent winger became a leader for PSG. He no longer played just to entertain but to decide games, embodying the responsibility that came with Mbappe’s departure.

His decision-making improved, and so did his end product. Instead of overpassing or relying solely on flair, Dembele became direct, fearless, and goal-hungry.

His 35 goals last season were not just statistics; but they were proof that he had become PSG’s talisman.