Ousmane Dembele reflects on Barcelona spell and reveals what Messi meant to him: ‘Saw some exceptional top players’

Ousmane Dembele has reflected on his time at Barcelona, highlighting Lionel Messi as one of the biggest influences during his tenure at the club. The Paris Saint-Germain forward joined Barcelona in 2017 from Borussia Dortmund for a hefty €105 million fee, but his early years in Catalonia were overshadowed by injuries and off-field issues.

Dembele spent over 100 matches on the sidelines and faced concerns over his professionalism and consistency. Despite these challenges, Dembele eventually found his rhythm at the club, becoming a more consistent attacking threat under former manager Xavi. However, contract renewal disagreements complicated his relationship with the club, leading to his eventual departure in 2023.

When recalling his Barcelona experience, Dembele expressed no bitterness, emphasizing Messi's central role in his memories: "I spent some years at Barça and I saw some exceptional top players... one was perfect, Messi."