Messi’s Advice Influenced Dembele and Helped Him Win the Ballon d’Or
Ousmane Dembele, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, highlighted his relationship with Lionel Messi, with whom he once played at Barcelona.
According to Dembele, now at the peak of his career after winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Messi’s influence on his career went far beyond their time together at Barcelona.
In an interview with Four Four Two magazine, Dembele explained how the Argentine star’s advice and closeness played a crucial role in his professional growth and current success.
The bond between Dembele and Messi was forged from the very first day the Frenchman entered Barcelona’s dressing room after arriving from Germany. Having his locker placed right next to Messi’s allowed trust and mutual learning to develop. “I had a very good relationship with Messi from day one. My locker was right next to his, and he gave me a lot of advice. He instinctively knew what you needed,” Dembele revealed.
Dembele and Messi during their time together at Barcelona
The 28-year-old forward has undergone a remarkable transformation at PSG under Luis Enrique. In the 2024/25 season, his performances were pivotal in helping PSG secure the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, the Champions League, and the UEFA Super Cup.
These achievements earned him the Ballon d’Or, an individual honor that he described as the ultimate dream for any footballer. “Before the Champions League final, people were already chanting ‘Ballon d’Or!’ For an individual award, there is nothing greater for a football player,” Dembele told Four Four Two.
Dembele’s admiration for Messi extends beyond the pitch. The Frenchman regards Inter Miami’s current captain as his favorite player and also the main reason he fell in love with Barcelona: “Messi told me to take things seriously if I wanted to achieve my dreams. After that, I began to watch closely and learn from everything he did on the pitch,” he said, adding that this advice marked a turning point in his attitude and professionalism.
Dembele reaches the pinnacle of his career with the Ballon d’Or
Dembele began his career at Rennes, where he made 29 appearances and scored 12 goals before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2016. In just one season, he featured in 50 matches and scored 10 goals, catching the attention of Barcelona. The Catalan club spent €135 million to secure his signature, a fee that came with huge expectations.
However, persistent muscle injuries—leading to criticism over his diet and physical care—prevented the French winger from fully establishing himself at the club. Over six seasons, he missed 119 matches, averaging nearly 20 absences per year, and eventually left Barcelona with 185 appearances and 40 goals. Finally, in mid-2023, Barcelona parted ways with him, accepting PSG’s €50 million offer.