Ousmane Dembélé - A Detailed Overview
Introduction
Ousmane Dembélé is a professional footballer from Vernon, France. He was born on May 15, 1997. Known primarily as a forward, Dembélé is renowned for his dribbling skills, speed, and agility on the pitch. He has won several accolades during his career and has played for major clubs like Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. Despite his relatively young age, Dembélé has made significant contributions to football and has served as a central figure in some of the most formidable teams in Europe.
Youth Career
Dembélé began his career in football as a youth, training with Rennes' academy, one of France's renowned training centres. He joined the Rennais in 2004, at the age of seven. Despite facing considerable obstacles during his time there - including lack of playtime and threats to leave the club - he continued with Rennais until 2015. His time in the youth squad was marked by significant feats, including scoring 13 goals in the under-15 category in the 2011-12 season.
Professional Debut
Dembélé made his professional debut in 2015, joining Rennes' senior team. His first game, against Angers, saw him entering the match as a substitute. A week later, in a match against Bordeaux, he scored his first goal. Throughout the 2015-2016 season, Dembélé's performance stood out, earning him the 'Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year' award.
Borussia Dortmund
In 2016, Dembélé signed a five-year contract with Germany's Borussia Dortmund. He made his debut in the DFL-Supercup, where he managed to make an impression with his skills. His time at Dortmund highlighted his abilities, scoring 10 goals throughout the season. His playmaking abilities also shone, with 21 assists in all competitions.
Barcelona
Dembélé's career took another significant turn in August 2017 when he transferred to Barcelona for an initial fee of €105 million, one of the highest transfers in football history. During his time in Barcelona, he experienced a mixture of success and injuries. Despite the injuries, Dembélé secured a few important victories for the team, including scoring the winning goal in the 2018 Spanish Super Cup. He was also part of the team that won two La Liga titles, in 2018 and 2019.
National Team
Dembélé has also been part of France's senior national team. His debut was made in a match against Italy in 2016. He was later part of the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where France won the tournament. Despite not featuring heavily, Dembélé's place in the squad underscored his rising profile internationally as a talented forward.
Playing Style
One of Dembélé's most distinguishing attributes as a football player is his ability to use both feet equally well, a skill that adds another layer of unpredictability to his game. He's also particularly known for his speed and technical skills, as well as his ability to create scoring opportunities. Despite being a forward, Dembélé's playmaking abilities enable him to support his team effectively across the whole pitch.
Personal Life
Dembélé is of Senegalese and Mauritanian descent. Despite his many commitments on the field, the footballer maintains a fairly private personal life. He has a strong passion for gaming, particularly the game 'Call of Duty'. Additionally, he is known for his philanthropy, having donated €10,000 to a campaign to help build a mosque in his mother's hometown in Mauritania.
Conclusion
Despite his young age, Ousmane Dembélé has carved out a remarkable career in football. His time with Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona have all contributed to an impressive portfolio as a forward. His ability to switch between both flanks, his speed, technical skills, and unwavering commitment to improving his performance have all established Dembélé as one of football's rising stars. His contribution in the France national team and his role in the victorious 2018 World Cup team show that he is an epitome of professionalism and talent, both domestically and internationally.
