Ousmane Dembélé has regained his impact in 2026 (6 goals and 2 assists in 6 Ligue 1 matches), but PSG’s 3–1 defeat in Rennes has left its mark. The Parisian forward, the team’s only scorer that night, delivered a strong message after the match, urging the squad to put the collective back at the center and to play first for the club, not for individual glory.
“We didn’t start the match well. Rennes played a very good game, but I think we need to show more desire when we play for Paris Saint-Germain. If we play individually, we won’t win the titles we want. Last season, we put the club above everything, and I think we need to rediscover that mindset in the second half of the season. Paris Saint-Germain must come first, not individuals,” warned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
Strong Message to the Locker Room After Rennes Loss
Dembélé was not targeting anyone in particular. His comments sparked plenty of debate, with some assuming he was pointing fingers. Internally, however, the message was reportedly meant for the entire locker room, as several senior players are trying to rally the squad. Dembélé is said to be fully embracing his leadership role without singling out any teammate.
Asked about it afterward, Luis Enrique firmly shut down the discussion, refusing to give weight to post-match remarks and reminding everyone that only the coaching staff sets the collective direction. “I’m not going to respond to a player’s comments. I will never allow a player to be above the club. That’s perfectly clear.”
He reiterated that he takes full responsibility for the team. “I AM THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TEAM. And I will never allow a player to think he is more important than the club.” He concluded by downplaying the statements made in the heat of the moment: “These comments are worth nothing. They come from the frustration of the match that has just ended.”
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