Ousmane Dembélé’s scoring run shows no sign of slowing. Last night in the Champions League, he struck twice against Brest in a 3-0 win, cementing his status as the most in-form player in world football right now. He has netted 15 goals in eight matches this year and, by his own admission, never felt this level of confidence before.
He wasn’t always this clinical. At Barcelona, he battled injuries and scrutiny after a $145 million investment. Critics wondered if he would ever fulfill that potential. A transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for about $55 million introduced another challenge, but the forward is now firmly at the heart of Luis Enrique’s new project.
A shift under Luis Enrique
Many expected PSG to struggle after Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid. Instead, Dembélé has embraced the larger role. He has become a central attacking force, finding space in the box and showing sharper positioning. After the victory at Brest, Enrique beamed with pride. “You’d have to ask him what he ate at Christmas,” the coach joked. “He is a player full of confidence. Back when I played PlayStation as a kid, he was the kind of player you’d choose when you needed someone to change the game. He was already good last season but in 2025 he is even better. He has an impeccable attitude.”
Those close to the team say it’s not just Dembélé’s finishing that stands out. His passing and combinations with teammates like Vitinha and Désiré Doué have injected fluidity into PSG’s attack. Vitinha spoke glowingly after the match, saying, “We’re delighted that he’s playing like this. It’s a big help for the team.”
With 23 goals across all competitions, Dembélé has already surpassed his personal best for a single season. His brace against Brest showcased the range of his talent. One goal arrived just before halftime, a curling finish from the right that left the keeper frozen. The second came from reading a loose ball in the box and firing it low into the corner.
“I can’t put a limit on him,” Enrique said when asked about Dembélé’s ceiling. “Those of us who know Ousmane and see him train, right now we see he’s full of confidence.” That confidence has carried PSG to the brink of the Champions League’s last 16, and it’s fueling talk that the club has found its new talisman.
