Joined Because of Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele Reveals Struggles at Barcelona – “I Suffered a Lot”

When it comes to soccer, players rarely pass up the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi. Ousmane Dembele was no different and was drawn to Barcelona by the allure of figures such as Messi, Pep Guardiola, and Andres Iniesta, who formed its brand identity. Regrettably, the French winger recently divulged that his tenure with Barca proved immensely challenging.

Last summer marked a significant shift in Dembele’s career when he transitioned from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Since this notable move, he has become an integral part of Luis Enrique’s squad while thriving within the vibrant atmosphere of France’s capital city. Yet, the two-footed dribbling wizard saw his Barcelona career go down the drain!

A shoddy start at Barcelona slowed Ousmane Dembélé down

Ousmane Dembélé recently shared insights into his experiences at both clubs during an interview with the newspaper ‘Le Parisien’. As per Record, recalling his trials in Spain, the 26-year-old admitted, “I suffered a lot at Barcelona. I went through some very difficult times.” He went on to add, “Then, as the years went by, everything got better… It’s the logical evolution of a young professional player who has changed a lot of things.”

Dive Deeper: Tata Martino Drops Positive Lionel Messi Update Ahead of Newell’s Old Boys Friendly: Reports

Despite experiencing adversity in Catalonia’s famous club, joining them fulfilled his lifelong ambition. He confessed: “It was Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, and Andres Iniesta who made me love Barcelona. When I signed for the club, I fulfilled a dream.” Unfortunately, the Vernon-born time with Blaugrana was largely overshadowed by injuries and disappointing performances.

At present, Ousmane Dembélé seems to be flourishing in a fresh alliance with Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain. In terms of teaming up with Lionel Messi, the 25-year-old is yet another luminary who was enticed by the prospect of playing alongside La Pulga and still yearns for the Argentine maestro’s presence in their attacking lineup. Notably, his current teammate stated the Argentine’s stature. 

The advantages of playing alongside Lionel Messi, according to Kylian Mbappe

Just last month in a recent discussion, Kylian Mbappe reflected on his connection with Lionel Messi. He expressed a nostalgic longing to once again share the pitch with the Argentine and elucidate on the benefits acquired from their prior partnership. “You always miss playing with Messi,” he mused. “For a striker like me who likes to devour space, with him you go with the certainty that you can have the ball. It was a luxury that only he can give you,” gleefully declaring his presence on the pitch. 

Further elaborating on this subject, the renowned striker described his interactions with the 36-year-old as ‘special’. Undoubtedly, through instances like these, it becomes evident that Lionel Messi’s influence permeates profoundly within global soccer circles.

Watch this story: Soccer Stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Make a Huge Assist for Esports Space

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.