Dembele Transformed by Enrique to Chase Ballon dOr

Ousmane Dembele credits Luis Enrique for changing his approach to football after leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain. The French winger told France Football magazine about his personal growth during a historic treble-winning season. Dembele admits he spends rest days working with team physiotherapists and caring for his body. His old habits involved playing basketball video games and watching television at home. Barcelona taught him that poor lifestyle choices create problems later.

Luis Enrique demands total commitment from every player on his squad. Forwards must defend just as hard as they attack under the Spanish coach. Dembele learned that lazy defensive work earns players bench time instead of starting roles. The system helped PSG win European championships through collective effort. No individual player ranks above team success under this philosophy.

Lamine Yamal impressed Dembele during their time together at Barcelona before the youngster broke into first-team action. Training sessions revealed the teenager's exceptional dribbling skills and goal-scoring ability. Barcelona staff recognized his talent from an early age. The Spanish forward has reached elite levels that make him a serious Ballon d'Or candidate. Dembele believes his former teammate deserves major award consideration.