Dembele: "The first to congratulate me on the Ballon d'Or was Messi"

Ousmane Dembele gave an interview to France Football on the occasion of the Ballon d'Or, with which he was recently awarded for his extraordinary last season, culminating in the conquest of the Champions League. Precisely this Friday were announced the scores of the Ballon d'Oro where the PSG attacker won the award ahead of Lamine Yamal by 321 points.

First congratulation: "It was from Messi. I was also congratulated by Xavi, Luis Suarez and many former Barcelona players. They were happy. I didn't have my PSG teammates on video, but I did have messages from Achraf, the coach (Luis Enrique), Luis Campos, all of them."

First nomination and Ballon d'Or: "When you win practically every trophy, a Champions League, which weighs in a season without a World Cup or European Championship, and you have individual statistics, I think you are among the five best players in the world. I'm not going to say it was unexpected because at the beginning of each season, my entourage keeps telling me that I can be on the Ballon d'Or list... Then, such a season is exceptional."

The suffering was mainly physical, related to the injuries. But I didn't doubt my football, not for a second

Dembélé

"Best player in the world" is a very big word. For me, it doesn't mean anything. It can change every weekend. In one game, you're not good, people will say you're a disaster. The next, you're the best in the world. Every two weeks it can change. Afterwards, when you have a great season, the best of all, you get a reward. You were the best player of the season,"

Childhood goal: "Yes, as a child, yes. Then, over time, I didn't think... it didn't get into my head that I was going to win the Ballon d'Or. It wasn't an obsession."

"I had a lot of injuries at Barcelona, the more the seasons went on, the more I got injured... In 2019-2020, I only played five games... But no, I didn't doubt it. I was sure that I would get back on the pitch and that everything would be fine. It's part of life, not everything can be rosy. It wasn't easy, I learned a lot. At 28 years old, I know my body, I know myself inside and out. The suffering was mainly physical, related to injuries. But I didn't doubt my football for a second. I've always loved it, I've always had that talent, so I had no doubts. My body had to allow me to express my football."

"Excuse my language, but I didn't give a damn! I played my way. If you like it, you like it; if you don't, that's the way it is. You take it or you don't take it. Although I would like to score goals, I did not intend to shoot up there..."

When you have physical problems, it is not easy to return to the highest level

Dembélé

"I have no regrets": "No, I have no regrets. That's right. I have no regrets, from the beginning of my career until today. I have learned a lot and it has helped me. When you have physical problems, it is not easy to return to the highest level. But as soon as your body listens to you and you also listen to your body, you play regularly and you can express your talent. And in August, everything starts from scratch, it's a new season. The Ballon d'Or is for one season, not ten."

Special dedication for the Ballon d'Or: "My whole family was happy. Those who were there, those who were not. Only joy. This Ballon d'Or is also theirs. It's my mother, she raised me alone. I dedicate this Ballon d'Or to her and to the whole family. Afterwards, whether I win it or not, she will be happy with how far I've come."

What can the Ballon d'Or be compared to: "My goal against Tottenham (against FC Barcelona, 1-1, on December 11, 2018, in the group stage of the Champions League). I pressed the opponent, he lost his balance a little bit, I recovered the ball, and then there was a two against one (two against two) and I said: 'I'm going alone'. I pushed the ball, accelerated, saw the defender coming like crazy to enter, hooked it and scored. It's practically the Ballon d'Or. Final. Unexpected. Goal."

During my seven seasons at Barcelona, I mainly played as a winger

Goalscorer Dembele. "Yes, I could score a lot. Afterwards, I didn't play in the same position. At Rennes, I played two or three games as a winger, but then I was just behind the striker, and it's not the same when you're closer to the goal. As a winger, you have to dribble past three or four players, you get in front of the goalkeeper, you're tired, you shoot up. Even at Dortmund, I played more in the centre and it was much easier. During my seven seasons at Barcelona, I mainly played as a winger."

More central position with Luis Enrique: "It's not the same to be a winger on the line as a false 9, but it's a free winger. Luis Enrique gives me a lot of freedom. I need it. I started like that at Rennes. Rolland Courbis gave me a lot of freedom, he told me to go everywhere. I like this position a lot. Afterwards, I can play as a winger, but in this position, I'm going to try more to unbalance the defenses, to give decisive passes... Although they also ask me to score. It's not the same."

I played with Messi for seven years; today I try to imitate him

Dembélé

"Players I look up to? I played at Barcelona with Lionel Messi, who was a false nine," Dembele said. "You had to see how he moved, how he made everyone forget about him. He walked, but he knew very well that the ball was going to come to his feet because Busquets had seen him. He would go everywhere. He would stay offside and then suddenly appear. I saw all that for seven years. Today I try to do it. Then, as a No.9, Harry Kane is incredible. At Real Madrid, Kylian plays as a No.9, but he's not really one. These are the players I look at."

If you're not hungry, with Luis Enrique you go to the bench

Dembélé

Hungry for more achievements: "Yes, of course. Because if you don't win, if you're not hungry, with Luis Enrique, you'll go to the bench. Or we'll sign another player."