Ousmane Dembélé has taken the soccer world by storm with a breakout season at Paris Saint-Germain, one which noticed him carry the 2025 Ballon d’Or forward of a number of prime stars, most notably runner-up Lamine Yamal. Because the French ahead claimed the game’s most prestigious particular person honor, Lionel Messi despatched a heartfelt message to his former teammate.
Dembélé has typically admitted that Messi was a mentor throughout their time collectively at FC Barcelona, the place their lockers had been facet by facet. Over the 4 seasons they shared between 2017, when Dembélé arrived, and 2021, when Messi’s sudden departure shocked the membership, the Frenchman mentioned he grew considerably as a participant beneath the Argentine’s affect.
After being named the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, Dembélé posted a number of pictures on Instagram, together with one in all Ronaldinho handing him the trophy. “A variety of pleasure, delight, and emotion. A dream come true. Because of everybody who has at all times supported me all through this journey,” Dembélé wrote.
Messi took to the feedback to congratulate his former teammate, praising each his perseverance and the season that introduced him to the highest of the game. “Nice Ous!!! Congratulations, I’m so joyful for you. You deserve it,” Messi candidly replied.
Lionel Messi’s message to Ousmane Dembele after successful the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Dembélé himself had talked about Messi in his acceptance speech, reflecting on the gamers who formed him. “Thanks to all of the golf equipment I’ve performed for: Stade Rennes, Borussia Dortmund, and the membership I at all times dreamed of enjoying for, Barcelona. I realized a lot there, enjoying alongside gamers like Messi and Iniesta. It was a fantastic studying expertise. I’m so joyful,” he mentioned.
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Ousmane Dembélé helps France match Lionel Messi’s Argentina historic report after 2025 Ballon d’Or win
Membership World Cup: The final time the 2 stars met
Regardless that their careers took them in several instructions, the respect and relationship Messi and Dembélé constructed at Barcelona has endured. That bond was evident when PSG met Inter Miami within the FIFA Membership World Cup spherical of 16, a match that led to a dominant 4-0 win for the French facet.
After the sport, Dembélé as soon as once more shared his admiration for Messi on social media. “Nice to see you once more, @leomessi — the best of all time. Hopefully you retain making historical past with Inter Miami such as you did on this Membership World Cup,” he wrote in June 2025 after they exchanged jerseys.
