Ousmane Dembele believes the decision to swap Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique has defined a new phase in a career that now includes the 2024-25 Ballon d’Or.
After a prolific season with 33 goals and 13 assists, Dembele says the move has justified leaving a club supported since childhood.
Reflecting on that choice, Dembele told Marca: “Yes, I think so. Afterwards, in my case, I think it was the right time to leave the club. Although I was very attached to Barca, which I have supported since I was little. But for me, it was important to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. I spoke with Luis Enrique, who had wanted me for a long time and whom I know well. And, of course, with the president and the sporting director. And it was a wonderful decision when you see what has happened at Paris Saint-Germain over these last three years, and I am happy about that.”
Dembele originally joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in August 2017 and spent six seasons with the Spanish club. Across all competitions, Dembele made 185 appearances and scored 40 goals, but struggled to secure a regular role due to recurring injuries. Dembele reached double figures for league and cup goals only twice, scoring 14 in 2018-19 and 11 in 2020-21.
Since moving to Paris Saint-Germain, Dembele has enjoyed consistent availability and influence. Dembele has collected 12 major trophies with PSG, including three Ligue 1 titles and two Champions League crowns. The 2024-25 campaign brought a personal high, with 33 goals and 13 assists across competitions, form that helped Dembele secure the Ballon d’Or for that season.
Dembele and Luis Enrique never worked together at Barcelona because Dembele arrived shortly after Luis Enrique departed. The link finally formed when PSG stepped in. Dembele recalled how the coach made a direct pitch during a pre-season trip, stressing that call as a decisive moment in the transfer process and future cooperation.
Dembele said: “I was on tour in Los Angeles with Barcelona when Luis Enrique called me on the phone, Dembele added. He explained his plans, his vision of my role in his team, and how he saw our future together at Paris Saint-Germain. His words convinced me immediately.”
Dembele also highlighted that the end of the Barcelona spell had already brought improvement. Dembele described an important period of physical progress, first in Spain and then after adapting fully in France with PSG, while crediting Luis Enrique and the staff for careful management of training and fitness demands.
Looking back on that phase, Dembele said: “I was already feeling much better during my final years in Barcelona. In 2021-2022, I was 24 or 25 years old, and things had improved significantly. My beginnings in Spain had been very difficult because of injuries, but in Paris, I have continued the trend of those last two seasons at Barcelona. I have gained experience and learned to understand my body much better, which has helped me enormously. In addition, I am fortunate to have Luis Enrique and his coaching staff, who manage me perfectly.”
Dembele now presents the move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain as a step made at the right time, shaped by recovery from injuries, maturity and detailed planning with Luis Enrique. The forward’s statistics, trophy haul and Ballon d’Or underline how the decision has aligned with improved performance and stability at PSG.