Why Ballon d'Or favourite Dembele can't be dubbed world-class Club

 

Ousmane Dembélé is enjoying the best form of his career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2025, emerging as a leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or after helping PSG to a historic treble and their first-ever Champions League win. Since being repositioned as a centre-forward in January, the French winger has exploded in productivity, scoring vital goals and finishing as the club’s top assist provider in Europe. Yet despite his breakout year, Dembélé was notably excluded from GOAL’s "World-Class Club" list sparking debate. Critics argue six months of elite-level performance do not erase nearly a decade of inconsistency, injuries, and off-field issues. At Barcelona, Dembélé's undisciplined lifestyle and poor professionalism stalled his development. Even at international level, he has yet to shine in a major tournament. The 28-year-old is finally fulfilling his potential but football greatness requires more than a half-season hot streak.

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While Dembélé has proven he can dominate games when focused and healthy, his long track record of setbacks still clouds his world-class status. Despite Lionel Messi once calling him a “phenomenon,” Dembélé admitted to “wasting” years at Barcelona due to a lack of work ethic. From missed meetings and injuries linked to poor diet, to broken trust with club staff and fans, he often frustrated more than he delivered. Even his 2022 resurgence under Xavi proved short-lived, and his departure from Barcelona in 2023 exploiting a clause to leave for PSG while pocketing a large chunk of the fee soured his reputation further. Although his form in 2025 has been sensational, consistent greatness the kind expected of Ballon d’Or winners requires long-term excellence, not flashes of brilliance. Dembélé’s challenge now is clear: prove this version of himself is permanent, not another brief peak in a rollercoaster career.

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