DEMBÉLÉ: “LEAVING BARCELONA WAS THE RIGHT DECISION FOR MY CAREER”

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé has opened up about one of the most important decisions of his football career, insisting that leaving Barcelona in 2023 was the right move despite his lifelong affection for the Catalan giants.

Speaking in an interview with MARCA, the French international revealed that his transfer to PSG transformed his career and helped him reach a new level as a player.

“I was a Barcelona fan since I was a kid, but it was the right moment for me to leave,” Dembélé explained. “Signing for Paris Saint-Germain was very important. It is the club that changed my life.”

The winger also disclosed that former Barcelona coach and current PSG manager Luis Enrique played a major role in convincing him to join the Parisian project. During Barcelona’s pre-season tour in Los Angeles, Enrique personally contacted Dembélé to outline his vision for the club and the role he would play.

At the time, many Barcelona supporters were disappointed by his departure. The club had supported the Frenchman through several injury-plagued seasons, and his €50.4 million move to Paris was met with mixed emotions.

However, Dembélé’s decision has since been fully justified on the pitch. Since arriving in Paris, he has developed into one of the world’s most influential attacking players, leaving behind the injury concerns that once defined much of his career.

His performances have been instrumental in PSG’s recent dominance, helping the French champions capture back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles while establishing himself as one of the elite stars of world football.

The ultimate recognition arrived in 2025 when Dembélé lifted the Ballon d’Or, completing a remarkable transformation from a talented but inconsistent winger into one of the game's biggest superstars.

Looking back, Dembélé has no regrets. While Barcelona will always hold a special place in his heart, he believes his move to Paris was the turning point that allowed him to fulfill his enormous potential and write the most successful chapter of his career.