Today, Ousmane Dembélé is one of the best footballers in the world. The French forward, who is currently shining at PSG, won the latest Ballon d'Or and has firmly established himself at the pinnacle of world football.

However, his path to success was not a quick one. Before reaching the sporting maturity that led him to win the golden trophy, the forward went through a long and necessary learning phase.

That formative period took place at FC Barcelona. Dembélé joined the Catalan side in 2017. He was very young, had come from another country (Germany) and was under enormous pressure as a multi-million-euro signing. Barça paid over €100 million for him.

In that dressing room, he found one of his most important mentors. There he met Lionel Messi, the team captain and the undisputed leader of the club. From day one, the Argentine took the Frenchman under his wing.

Their proximity in the dressing room, where they sat side by side, fostered a direct bond between the veteran and the newcomer. Messi quickly recognised Dembélé’s natural talent, but he also noticed what was missing for him to become an elite professional.

That is why, in this new Ballon d'Or article, we are going to discover what advice Messi gave that marked a turning point in Dembélé’s career, and we will understand how those words transformed his mindset forever.

Media pressure and injuries: Messi as a protective shield

Dembélé’s early days at Barcelona were not easy. Shortly after joining the club, he suffered a serious muscle injury that sidelined him for several months. His physical and footballing adaptation took far longer than expected.

As well as the injuries, the Frenchman struggled to adjust to the club’s demanding routine. His lifestyle, certain off-pitch issues and the pressure of being a multi-million-pound signing drew heavy criticism from the local press. The environment was hostile.

However, amidst this adverse situation, Messi’s almost paternal protection emerged. The Argentine captain decided to act as a media shield to take the pressure off the young striker. He knew better than anyone that he needed time to perform at his best.

That is why Messi did not hesitate to come to his defence publicly. He did so in late 2018, during an extensive interview with the Spanish sports newspaper 'MARCA'. There, the team captain made his stance on the French striker, who was barely 20 years old, clear.

“On the pitch, Dembélé is a phenomenon and it’s up to him how good he becomes. He has every opportunity in the world to do whatever he wants. He could be one of the best,” said the multiple Ballon d’Or winner. Straight to the point. No beating about the bush.

And to sum up the matter, Messi called for patience from the media and the fans: “On the other hand, he’s a young lad who’s settling into the city and the club. The less said about him, the better. We need to leave him in peace.”

Tactical connection and key advice in the dressing room

Beyond those statements, the chemistry between the two was evident on the pitch. Messi used every break in play to whisper in his ear. He pointed out tactical moves, how to occupy spaces and how to make the most of his speed. When Dembélé scored, the Argentine was usually the first to run over and hug him.

That connection was forged and strengthened in private. Messi acted as a shield against the press and was also a constant guide behind closed doors. For the French forward, the captain’s presence was key to understanding what it meant to play for a club with such high standards as Barça.

Dembélé himself recalled that period with gratitude in an interview with 'Four Four Two': "I had a very good relationship with Messi from day one. My locker was right next to his, and he gave me lots of advice. He was someone who instinctively knew what you needed."

However, the most powerful message came when Messi spoke to him frankly about what it means to be a professional. It was a direct warning that Ousmane’s talent must not be wasted. “Messi told me I had to be serious if I wanted to achieve my dreams,” the Frenchman confessed.

From that moment on, Dembélé’s attitude changed forever. “Since then, I started observing him and learning from every detail of his game and the way he prepared,” he explained of his maturation process alongside the Rosario-born star.

This learning process was the driving force behind his definitive transformation. Messi’s advice did not go unnoticed. It was the seed of a sporting and psychological redemption which, after overcoming obstacles and criticism, ultimately took Dembélé to the very top of world football.

"Dembélé is a phenomenon and it’s up to him to become one of the best" – Lionel Messi

Winning the Ballon d’Or and the master’s congratulations

Their paths diverged in mid-2021, when Messi left Spain to play for PSG. Meanwhile, at FC Barcelona, Dembélé gradually began to find his best physical and footballing form, backed by the absolute confidence of manager Xavi Hernández.

His consistently high standard in Spain caught the attention of the Parisian club itself. In 2023, PSG decided to sign him to join their sporting project. There, under the management of Luis Enrique, the forward reached his full potential and peaked in his performance.

That definitive maturity led him to reach the very pinnacle of his career. Thanks to a brilliant season in France, Dembélé was voted the best player on the planet and won his first Ballon d’Or.

Following the official confirmation of the award, the Frenchman revealed a detail that shows his bond with Messi remained intact. As the striker himself told 'L'Equipe', the Argentine was the first person to send him a private message to congratulate him on the top honour.

Indeed, the respect and admiration were evident during the ceremony. From the podium, with the golden trophy in his hands, Dembélé dedicated some heartfelt words to his former captain: “I also want to thank Messi; I played with him and learnt so much.”

The circle was completed in the best possible way. That young man, once questioned for his lack of discipline at Barcelona, ended up becoming the king of world football. The apprentice, finally, put the master’s advice into practice to perfection.