Unexpected Comment from Ousmane Dembélé Towards Barcelona After PSG’s Champions League Victory

In the aftermath of Paris Saint-Germain’s triumphant victory in the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League, much of the spotlight has naturally been on the victors.

Yet, it was an unexpected and heartfelt comment from Ousmane Dembélé, PSG’s lightning-fast winger and former Barcelona star, that has captured the attention of football fans and analysts alike.

Speaking candidly at the Champions League final held at the Allianz Arena, Dembélé’s words paid tribute to his former club, FC Barcelona, praising their remarkable season and sending a message that resonated far beyond the immediate celebrations of his current team’s success.

Moments after the final whistle, while the PSG squad was basking in the glory of their Champions League win against Inter Milan, Dembélé stood before a throng of journalists and expressed a deep admiration for Barcelona’s achievements during the 2024-2025 season.

With his voice slightly trembling and eyes shining with emotion, he said: “Before I say anything about the final, let me first say congratulations to FC Barcelona for winning the Spanish League.

They ended an incredible season by winning La Liga deservedly in the most difficult season Spanish football has seen in years, with fierce competition, intense pressure, and a complete squad overhaul.

Yet they proved to everyone who the real king of La Liga is.”

Dembélé went on to describe how the arrival of coach Hans Flick transformed Barcelona’s approach and mentality.

“Since the arrival of Hans Flick, everything changed—the approach changed, the personality changed, the mentality changed, and even the language in the locker room changed.

Now there’s a sense of seriousness, strength, and the ability to control every match from the first minute to the last.

” His praise extended beyond mere words of congratulations.

When asked which team would have posed the greatest threat had they reached the Champions League final, Dembélé did not hesitate: “If Barcelona had reached the final, the match would have been much tougher for us.

I don’t want to take anything away from Inter Milan—they’re a great, well-organized team—but Barcelona under Flick is something else entirely.”

Dembélé’s reflections were not limited to the team’s tactical excellence.

He dedicated a significant portion of his comments to the young players who have propelled Barcelona to new heights this season.

He highlighted the talents of La Masia graduates and young stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi, emphasizing their maturity, skill, and composure on the biggest stages.

“Barcelona has something that can’t be bought—a generation of players that only comes once every two decades.

Lamine Yamal—this boy, no, I can’t even call him a boy—plays as if he’s already got 100 Champions League games under his belt.

He’s a magician who changes the course of a match with a single move, a dribble, or a pass.

And what Pedri and Gavi are doing in midfield is genius—balance, total control—as if they grew up on the sidewalks of Camp Nou with a map of the pitch imprinted in their minds.”

He also mentioned the blend of youth and experience within the squad, noting how players like Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, and César Azpilicueta provide strength and flexibility alongside the youthful exuberance.

“I haven’t seen a team transition from defense to attack so smoothly nor handle pressure with such calm.

Today’s Barcelona looks a lot like the 2009 Barcelona—not just in terms of stars but in concept and mental dominance over their opponents.”

Dembélé’s comments took on a nostalgic tone when he reflected on his own time at Barcelona.

Despite leaving the club to join PSG, he revealed that the spirit of Barcelona remains deeply ingrained within him.

“I left Barcelona, yes, but this shirt never left me.

The years I spent there taught me so much about professionalism, about pressure, about a fan base that doesn’t forgive easily but loves with its whole soul.

I’m happy here in Paris, but Barcelona will always be in my heart.”

While Dembélé’s comments focused on the present and past, Barcelona is already looking ahead to the future.

The club has identified the need to reinforce its attacking wings during the summer transfer window.

According to Spanish daily Sport, Barcelona is considering several options to provide rest and competition for their current wingers, Lamine Yamal and Rafinha.

Among the top targets are Englishman Marcus Rashford from Manchester United and Colombian Luis Díaz from Liverpool.

However, financial constraints and club policies have complicated these pursuits.

Manchester United reportedly demands a permanent sale with a €40 million price tag for Rashford, a figure Barcelona is reluctant to meet.

Similarly, Luis Díaz’s potential transfer is becoming less likely due to the high cost.

As alternatives, Barcelona is also exploring French winger Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich and Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal.

In addition to wing reinforcements, Barcelona is reportedly targeting a new goalkeeper, Juan Garcia from Espanyol.

The 23-year-old has impressed in La Liga, topping the saves chart with 146 saves in 38 matches last season, averaging 3.84 saves per game.

Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona has sent a clear message to Garcia: he will not merely be a backup but will have significant opportunities to play.

Both sporting director Deco and coach Hans Flick have expressed confidence in his abilities.

Garcia is optimistic about the move, viewing it as a logical step in his career progression, especially as he aims to break into the Spanish national team for the 2026 World Cup.

The 2024-2025 Ballon d’Or race is heating up, with Lamine Yamal emerging as a strong contender despite not winning the Champions League.

The young Spanish international has secured multiple domestic titles with Barcelona, including the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and La Liga.

French newspaper L’Equipe cited former Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Fernandez’s nomination of Yamal for the prestigious award.

Even if Dembélé were to win the Ballon d’Or following PSG’s Champions League and upcoming Club World Cup victories, Yamal remains a top challenger.

The award ceremony is scheduled for September 22, with voting closing at the end of August.

A jury of 100 journalists from around the world will cast their votes, making the competition intense and wide-ranging.

Ousmane Dembélé’s unexpected and sincere comments serve as a reminder of the respect and admiration that transcends club rivalries.

His tribute to Barcelona’s resurgence under Hans Flick, the young generation of stars, and the club’s enduring legacy highlights football’s power to inspire and unite.

Barcelona’s ambitious plans for the future, both in player acquisitions and nurturing talent, suggest that the club is poised to remain a dominant force in European football.

Meanwhile, Dembélé’s journey from Barcelona to PSG symbolizes the intertwined destinies of players and clubs, marked by passion, professionalism, and heartfelt loyalty.

As the football world awaits the next chapter in the Ballon d’Or saga and the summer transfer window, fans can take heart from Dembélé’s words: the future of football brilliance may well begin in Catalonia.