Can Ousmane Dembele Elevate His Game to World-Class Status?

In the world of football, there’s always room for surprises and disappointments, and French international Ousmane Dembele seems to be a thrilling blend of both. Despite being the odds-on favorite for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the Paris Saint-Germain winger finds himself excluded from GOAL’s World-Class Club for 2025, a decision bound to stir up quite a bit of controversy.

The Duality of Dembele

While Dembele’s talent on the pitch is undeniable, his seeming inability to maintain consistency and professionalism off it has held him back from reaching his full potential. From a trail of fast-food cartons at his home to indulging in late-night video games, Dembele’s off-field antics have raised quite a few eyebrows.

Lessons from the Past

Despite his initial shortcomings, Dembele has shown glimpses of change. During a promising streak of form at Barcelona under Xavi in 2022, he acknowledged his mistakes, stressing the importance of hard work on and off the pitch. But, despite these assurances, Dembele’s fluctuations in form kept him from truly shining at the Catalan club.

Departing Barcelona, Arriving Paris

His departure from Barcelona was far from amicable, leaving the club blindsided and disappointed. However, his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain didn’t bring about an immediate surge in productivity either. It was only this year that Dembele found his stride, contributing eight goals towards PSG’s first-ever European Cup win.

Proving His Mettle

Dembele’s recent form certainly puts him in the running for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but is six months of stellar performance enough to label him as ‘world-class’? It’s a title that demands consistency over a much longer timeframe. While Dembele has showcased his potential, the real test lies in whether he can maintain this level of performance going forward.

The Road Ahead

With the World Cup on the horizon, Dembele has the perfect stage to prove his worth. If he can replicate his recent form at the grandest stage of them all, doubts about his world-class status might finally be put to rest. However, as we’ve seen in the past, everything hinges on Dembele’s desire and commitment to the game.