Ousmane Dembele

France head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the most valuable squad in the tournament at $1.76 billion, led by Kylian Mbappe and a deep roster of elite talent. England, Spain, and Portugal follow closely behind. Defending champions Argentina rank eighth at $944 million, with Messi's individual valuation at just $17.3 million reflecting his age. While squad value does not determine outcomes, the financial gap between top contenders and Argentina is historically wide heading into the tournament.

As the torch is passed on the football pitch, a gripping generational saga unfolds. Kylian Mbappe, having grown up in the awe of Zinedine Zidane's brilliance, now contends with Lionel Messi in an epic battle for the sport's highest honors. Even with Messi's impressive club achievements, their paths intertwine through their shared World Cup victories, drawing curious parallels.

Once seen as football's underdogs, France and Spain have risen to the forefront of the sport. France's historic 1998 World Cup victory, featuring the brilliance of Zidane, was a watershed moment. Meanwhile, Spain's back-to-back achievements in the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup, energized by a golden generation of players, transformed their place in football history.

Vinícius Júnior has identified Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal among the favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, praising both Ronaldo’s influence and the country’s talented generation. Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Brazil star also backed Brazil, Spain, France and Argentina as leading contenders, while highlighting players including Vitinha, João Neves, Rafael Leão and Lamine Yamal as major tournament threats.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, several of football's biggest stars will be watching from afar. Injuries, managerial decisions and failed qualification campaigns have sidelined a host of elite names, including Robert Lewandowski, Rodrygo, Sandro Tonali and Paulo Dybala. Their absences serve as a reminder of the fine margins that define the world's biggest sporting stage.

Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive Champions League final appearance with a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich, winning 6-5 on aggregate. Ousmane Dembélé opened the scoring early, and despite Bayern's pressure and a late Harry Kane equalizer, PSG's defensive resilience saw them through to face Arsenal in Budapest.

EA FC 26's Ligue 1 Team of the Season is reportedly stacked, with PSG stars like Vitinha (97) leading the charge. Leaked ratings reveal strong cards for Dembele, Zaire-Emery, and defenders Pacho and Mendes. Excitingly, Endrick, Risser, and Fernandez-Pardo feature as TOTS Breakthrough players, promising highly sought-after additions for fans.

Paris Saint-Germain beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg, the highest-scoring match ever at this stage. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele scored twice each for PSG, while Harry Kane scored for Bayern, who fought back late to keep the tie alive before next week’s return leg in Munich.

France forward Ousmane Dembele has been ruled out of Euro 2020 with an injury, the French football federation said on Monday, in a blow to the world champions' ambitions.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League home game against Juventus due to a hamstring injury, the La Liga club said on Sunday.

Barcelona welcomed back three injured French players, Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet, as they resumed training ahead of their Champions League match against Napoli.

Barcelona midfielder Ousmane Dembele has had successful surgery after dislocating a knee tendon playing for France at the Euros and will return to action in four months, the Catalan club said on Monday. He suffered a dislocated biceps tendon in his right knee after coming on as a substitute in France's 1-1 draw with Hungary last week

Dembele underwent surgery on his troublesome right hamstring in February, when Barca said the Frenchman would be out for around six months.

France finished second in Group D despite Kylian Mbappe's penalty being cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski's spot kick in a 1-1 draw against Poland in Dortmund on Tuesday. Mbappe opened the scoring in the 56th minute with his first European Championship goal, and the first by a French player at Euro 2024, after Jakub Kiwior's clumsy challenge on Ousmane Dembele resulted in a penalty

France winger Ousmane Dembele has been struck by injury again in his first match for Barcelona since returning from a five-month absence.

Ousmane Dembele, out for four months after surgery on his right knee, is one of four players recalled to the Barcelona squad to face Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, the club announced on Monday.

Ousmane Dembele secured the 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or after a stellar season, leading Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever Champions League title and a domestic double. Dembele's outstanding performance edged out Lamine Yamal and teammate Vitinha for the prestigious award. PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, was also honored as club coach of the year.

Ousmane Dembélé's 2025 Ballon d'Or win for PSG's historic treble is a career highlight. While he commands a massive salary and endorsements, his wife Rima Edbouche, a Moroccan-origin entrepreneur, quietly manages her modest fashion brand, Razalae. The couple prioritizes family privacy and cultural roots, enjoying a comfortable life away from the spotlight.

Barcelona and France forward Ousmane Dembele's nightmarish luck with injuries continued on Tuesday as his club announced he will need surgery to treat the knee problem which forced him out of the European Championship. Barca said on Tuesday that the player, 24, had dislocated a tendon in his right knee and required surgical treatment.

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said forward Ousmane Dembele must renew his contract or the Spanish club will sell the France international during this month's transfer window.

The chief executive officer of Barcelona's main shirt sponsor said on Tuesday he wants an explanation from the club after attacker Ousmane Dembele apologised for making racist comments in a video circulating on social media.

Xavi Hernandez is still hopeful Ousmane Dembele will decide to stay at Barcelona, insisting the Frenchman would not be happier anywhere else.

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi are set to miss Sunday's trip to Real Mallorca after testing positive for Covid-19, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday.

Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele will return to the squad for Sunday's LaLiga match against Atletico Madrid after the club failed to move him on in the January transfer window, coach Xavi Hernandez said on Saturday.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he did not contact Barcelona's out-of-favour winger Ousmane Dembele during the January transfer window and that he was satisfied even though the Premier League club did not add new players. British media reported Chelsea were interested in France international Dembele, who was told by Barcelona to leave before the January transfer window closed after negotiations over a new contract broke down.

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Ousmane Dembele secured the 2025 Men's Ballon d'Or after a stellar season, leading Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League title. Aitana Bonmatí continued her dominance, claiming her third consecutive Women's Ballon d'Or. The ceremony in Paris celebrated top players and coaches, recognizing achievements across both men's and women's football.

France have shaken off the curse of the defending champions at the World Cup by qualifying for the knockout phase with a game to spare, and it is largely due to Antoine Griezmann's return to his best.

Ousmane Dembele's second-half strike gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over 10-man Real Sociedad in their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday, stretching their unbeaten streak to 12 games.