When Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele are talked about in the identical sentence, the soccer world takes discover. The Ballon d’Or runner-up and the reigning Ballon d’Or winner characterize totally different generations however share a stage of extraordinary expertise. That’s the reason their anticipated duel within the UEFA Champions League between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain had captured a lot creativeness—till it was confirmed that Dembele wouldn’t function on this blockbuster conflict.
The assembly on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has been billed in Spain as “the ultimate that got here near occurring”, recalling how shut Barcelona got here to going through PSG in final 12 months’s Champions League showpiece. With the Catalan facet below Hansi Flick exhibiting ruthless type and the Parisians nonetheless basking within the glow of their first European Cup triumph, this fixture had all of the substances of a contemporary basic.
However with Dembele lacking, the spectacle loses certainly one of its most fascinating storylines. Thus, one of many essential storylines, the primary head-to-head because the Frenchman narrowly beat the Spaniard to the Ballon d’Or, is not going to be performed out on the pitch.
Cause behind Dembele’s absence
PSG not too long ago confirmed that Ousmane Dembele, contemporary off profitable soccer’s highest particular person honor, would miss the journey to Spain. The French star is sidelined with a severe hamstring harm sustained throughout worldwide obligation earlier this month.
On September 7, the Crimson-and-Blues issued a press release declaring: “Ousmane Dembele can be unavailable for roughly six weeks as a consequence of a hamstring harm sustained on France obligation.” The harm timeline means his return remains to be at the very least two weeks away.
The Ballon d’Or winner himself tried to reassure followers. “It’s going nicely. I can be again very quickly,” he instructed French tv after receiving his trophy and presenting it to the group’s supporters throughout their victory over Auxerre.
The way it can have an effect on the sport
Dembele’s absence isn’t just symbolic—it’s a main tactical blow. For Enrique, shedding his most prized asset provides to an already daunting harm checklist. Alongside him, PSG may even be with out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Need Doue, and captain Marquinhos.
What’s extra, the absence is doubly poignant given his historical past. In 2023, he left Barcelona after six seasons marked by flashes of brilliance however dogged by inconsistency. Few predicted he would ascend to world-beating standing at PSG.
