The question of what makes a good player great and a great player the best has been a long-standing one in the world of football. It’s a question that has been occupying many a mind, including that of football journalist, who has been observing the sport for years. For him, the answer to this question came in the form of Ousmane Dembélé, the Frenchman who has been named the best male footballer in the world by the Guardian.

Source: i.guim.co.uk

Dembélé’s journey to the top has not been a straightforward one. He started off like a train, winning France’s young player of the year award in his first season as a professional. The following season, he helped Borussia Dortmund win the German Cup. However, his journey was not without its setbacks. In 2017, he moved to Barcelona, who were flush with money from selling Neymar for €222m (£194m). It was a sliding doors moment, one that could have gone either way.

Source: i.guim.co.uk

The Turning Point

It was during his time at Barcelona that Dembélé’s career took a turn for the worse. He started only a third of the league games and scored a total of 24 league goals in six injury-laden years. His most memorable moment might have been missing a last-minute one-on-one in the 2019 Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, when Barcelona were already 3-0 up. However, what followed was a 4-0 loss in the second leg, a defeat that would have been avoided if Dembélé had scored that crucial goal.

Despite the setbacks, Dembélé’s talent and dedication never wavered. He continued to work hard, always looking for ways to improve his game. It was during this time that he learned the value of resilience and adaptability. He realized that the path to greatness is not always linear and that setbacks are an inevitable part of the journey.

The Rise of Dembélé

Dembélé’s rise to the top began when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2023. It was a move that would prove to be a turning point in his career. At PSG, he found a team that was focused on the collective rather than individual success. The team’s focus on the group dynamic allowed Dembélé to flourish, and he quickly became the main man. He started the press, his vision, movement, pace, control, and positioning set the tone, and his finishing, once considered wasteful, was ruthless.

The 2025 Champions League final was a defining moment in Dembélé’s career. In a 5-0 win over Inter, he was instrumental in the team’s success. The defining image of the night was not the trophy lift or any one of the goal celebrations but Dembélé, poised on the edge of the opposition penalty area, with a hunched demeanor and furrowed brow, his face a picture of focus, ready to press. It was a moment that showcased his determination and focus.

Another defining moment in Dembélé’s career was his performance against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. With PSG 1-0 down from the first leg, Dembélé drifted into his own half, losing his markers who didn’t want to follow him that far. He picked up the ball and spread it wide to the right-winger Bradley Barcola, then sprinted into the box and made it to the cross to score. It was a moment that showcased his creativity and ability to think on his feet.

Dembélé’s exceptional 2025 was marked by 30 goals scored in the calendar year. The most decisive and emblematic of these goals was probably against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. With PSG 1-0 down from the first leg, Dembélé drifted into his own half, losing his markers who didn’t want to follow him that far. He picked up the ball and spread it wide to the right-winger Bradley Barcola, then sprinted into the box and made it to the cross to score. Even when teams knew it was coming, they couldn’t stop him.

The path to greatness is not always linear, and Dembélé’s story is a testament to this. He has shown that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn, even the most talented players can achieve greatness. His story is one that will inspire many a young footballer to follow in his footsteps and strive for greatness.