In the wake of FC Barcelona’s electrifying 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in the latest El Clásico, former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé delivered a candid and unexpected commentary that resonated deeply with fans and football analysts alike.

Speaking to the French press shortly after Paris Saint-Germain’s recent league match, Dembélé’s reflection was not just about the result or the performance on the pitch, but a heartfelt testament to the club’s remarkable transformation and revival under coach Hans-Dieter Flick.

Dembélé began by expressing sheer disbelief at the current state of the team, describing it as something akin to watching a “science fiction film, but painfully real.”

His words captured the astonishment many feel witnessing a Barcelona side that, after years of turmoil marked by injuries, inconsistency, and off-field distractions, has re-emerged as a dominant force in Spanish and European football.

He acknowledged the difficult years he experienced at the club—“years of doubts, frustrations, injuries, and ups and downs”—yet emphasized that there was always a missing element: a collective belief in the team’s potential to rise again.

Dembélé’s insight into this psychological dimension highlights a crucial factor in Barcelona’s resurgence: the restoration of confidence and identity.

Central to this revival, according to Dembélé, is the influence of Hans-Dieter Flick.

Contrary to his initial skepticism when Flick was appointed—expecting another cycle of change without lasting impact—Dembélé praised the German coach for more than tactical adjustments or fitness improvements.

Flick, he said, “revived an identity” and instilled in the players a profound respect for the club’s crest and history.

This cultural and emotional rejuvenation has translated into tangible success, with Barcelona securing a domestic treble and matching Pep Guardiola’s record of winning the first four El Clásico matches as coach.

Dembélé described Flick’s team as a “tribe of warriors,” a group that thrives under pressure and grows stronger with every victory.

This metaphor captures the unity and resilience that have become hallmarks of Barcelona’s recent performances.

The team’s tactical discipline, relentless pressing, and attacking flair were on full display during the El Clásico, where Barcelona dominated large stretches of the game, including a remarkable 24-minute period in the first half when Real Madrid barely touched the ball.

The former winger also touched on the psychological battle on the pitch, particularly referencing Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s star striker and a friend of Dembélé’s from their time in French football.

Despite Mbappé’s brilliance—including scoring a hat-trick in the match—Barcelona’s collective strength proved decisive.

Dembélé noted the tension between the two, describing Mbappé’s respect and wariness toward Barcelona’s young starlet, Lamine Yamal.

Yamal, only 17 years old, has rapidly emerged as a talismanic figure for Barcelona, combining fearlessness, instinctive decision-making, and composure beyond his years.

Dembélé recounted watching Yamal develop from a promising academy talent into a player who “defies logic” and “asserts his presence without shouting, without aggression, just with a ball between his feet and a sly smile.

” He humorously referred to Yamal as “Mbappé’s curse,” noting how the young Barcelona star has been a persistent thorn in the side of the French superstar during their encounters.

Beyond the on-field analysis, Dembélé’s reflections carried a personal and emotional weight.

Having left Barcelona due to a mixture of injuries, inconsistency, and the pressures of expectations, he confessed to feeling a complex blend of admiration and wistfulness watching his former club’s renaissance from afar.

“I follow them and wish them success,” he said, “but I do sometimes ask myself, what if I had stayed? Would I have been part of this glory or would I still be trapped in the old doubts?”

His message to Barcelona was clear and poignant: “Never lose this identity again.”

He urged the club to preserve the spirit and values that have propelled them back to the summit of football, emphasizing their role as an inspiration for a new generation of players who once believed the golden era was over.

To Lamine Yamal, Dembélé offered heartfelt advice to remain authentic and unburdened by external pressures: “The world always tries to put talent into boxes, into comparisons, into numbers.

Don’t let them take away your spontaneity.

You play as if you were born for these moments.

So stay true to yourself and the world will speak of you for years to come.”

In sum, Ousmane Dembélé’s unexpected comments provide a rare, insider’s perspective on Barcelona’s transformation.

They highlight the profound impact of leadership, belief, and identity in football success.

His reflections underscore that Barcelona’s recent achievements are not merely about tactics or talent but about restoring a collective soul and pride that had seemed lost.

As Barcelona continues to chase glory, Dembélé’s words serve as both a tribute to the journey and a reminder of the fragile, precious nature of footballing identity.