Ballon d’Or contender opens up on relationship with Lionel Messi – ‘He made me love Barcelona’

Ousmane Dembele stands as absolutely the favorite forward of subsequent month’s Ballon d’Or gala in Paris.

Having led Paris Saint-Germain to their maiden Champions League triumph final season, many count on the Frenchman to beat Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal to win the distinguished trophy.

In a latest interview with Guillem Balague, Dembele opened up about his expertise at Barcelona, notably sharing the identical dressing room as seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Dembele on his relationship with Messi

Dembele and Messi had been recognized to be good mates throughout their time collectively at Barcelona.

Speaking in regards to the Argentine, Dembele credited Messi for making him fall in love with Barcelona.

“My relationship with Messi was great from the primary day. He advised me that I needed to be severe if I needed to realize my desires. He’s the one who made me love Barcelona,” he stated.

Having joined Barcelona in 2017, Dembele performed alongside Messi for 4 years earlier than the Argentine’s tragic exit from the membership in 2021.

Throughout his time at Camp Nou, the Frenchman shared the dressing room with among the most gifted gamers on the earth.

When requested about his favorite teammates throughout the course of his profession, Dembele notably talked about Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Messi among the many Barcelona gamers.

“Messi, Aubameyang, Reus, Busquets, Pedri,” he answered.

Pedri is the one one who continues to be taking part in for Barcelona proper now. The younger midfielder, in actual fact, is tipped to complete inside the high 5 in Ballon d’Or last rankings.

Dembele was additionally requested to choose his favorite five-a-side crew, through which he favoured all Barcelona gamers.

The Frenchman picked up Marc-Andre ter Stegen in purpose whereas holding Samuel Umtiti because the lone defender. In midfield, the previous Dortmund starlet picked Sergio Busquets whereas Lionel Messi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had been the attackers.