Luis Enrique and Marquinhos back Ousmane Dembélé to win Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

In the wake of his team winning the Champions League final by the highest-ever scoreline, Luis Enrique was particularly effusive in his praise of Ousmane Dembélé, even if the in-form forward did not find the net in Munich.

In particular, the Asturian highlighted the former Rennes man’s defensive contributions across the campaign, as part of his now-familiar central attacking role. More so than the French international’s 33 goals in all competitions this season.

In his post-match press conference, attended by GFFN, the Paris Saint-Germain manager would highlight Dembélé’s commitment to pressing on separate occasions:

“I think the team was exceptional, to have pressed a team as good as Inter with a very high intensity… Ousmane Dembélé pressed Sommer, Acerbi, and the other central defenders with great intensity, which meant that they didn’t have time to think and it cut the team off.”

“[…] I would give Mr. Ousmane Dembélé the Ballon d’Or, if only for how he defended. That’s what you call leading a team. I honestly believe that he deserves the Ballon d’Or, not just because of the titles he has won or the goals he scored, but because of the way he has pressed all season.”

That message was also carried by club captain Marquinhos during the team’s parade down the Champs-Élysées, with the Brazilian chanting “Ousmane, Ballon d’Or” in front of the crowd of fans.

Having also been named the Champions League’s player of the season, with 8 goals and 6 assists on the way to the title with PSG, Dembélé will indeed be one of the main contenders for the trophy in September. For a player who was dropped entirely from the matchday squad to face Arsenal earlier this season, it will have been a sensational turnaround, spurred on by a change in mentality and positioning on the pitch.

GFFN | Raphaël J. – reporting from Munich