He had to suffer, have a really bad time. During that time, it was difficult to see the light. But today, already 25 years old, Ousmane Dembele He believes that his lack of work and maturity contributed to the fact that the injuries were with him for so long.
In an interview with the newspaper Sport, the world champion was very self-critical when talking about his previous seasons at FC Barcelona. He arrived at the age of 20, with very little experience in professional football, and that definitely worked against him.
He didn’t work as hard as today, he wasn’t as focused and he had a lot of things to learn in terms of preparation. With the passing of time, and after meeting coaches like Ronald Koeman and Xavi, he has understood that talent is not enough. Without work and dedication, it is impossible to transcend.
WHY WAS DEMBÉLÉ INJURED SO MUCH AND WHY IS HE LIVING HIS BEST MOMENT TODAY?
“The beginnings in Barcelona were very difficult, the first 3 years, especially. With the injuries, the games, one good day and another bad. I think it’s life. In 2017, he was 20 years old. He had to learn a lot, he had only been in professional football for 1 year and a half with Rennes and Dortmund. He was very young and now, at 25, I feel more mature, calmer”.
Why was he so injured? “The injuries came because at the age of 20 I didn’t work like I do now. And if you want to be a great player, you have to work. Your talent is not enough. I didn’t know it before, but now I see that it’s essential to work on and off the pitch”.
“Everything changed with the arrival of Koeman. The click was after a hamstring injury, when Koeman arrived. I worked a lot to avoid having injuries. I started playing, I think it was 46 games that season.”
His physical preparation has already changed: “Speak with the club’s trainers, with my personal trainer. That’s when they told me that if I didn’t work, I would continue to get injured and I wouldn’t enjoy football. Now I have a physical trainer who talks with the Barça. I work in the morning and have post-workout exercises to strengthen my hamstrings and stuff. There are very good physios in the Barça”.
He no longer wants to return to the criticism of the past, he focuses on the present. The only thing that interests you is to enjoy the game: “I don’t want to say much about whether it has been unfair or not, if I have been criticized too much. I’m focused on now, on performing well on the pitch. Criticism is life, you can’t satisfy or please everyone.”
Undefeated data. Ousmane Dembélé has 1 goal and 4 assists in 5 games played this season with FC Barcelona. Difference in League and UEFA Champions League. Special.
Did you know…? Ousmane Dembélé closed the last League with 13 assists. He was the player with the most decisive passes in the Spanish championship. Ultimately, a different one.