Ligue 1 doubts linger as Ousmane Dembélé rests for PSG’s Le Mans game

At the Parc des Princes on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain’s head coach Luis Enrique fielded questions about the French international Ousmane Dembélé, confirming the winger will sit out the Saturday Ligue 1 meeting with Le Mans at 20:45, the club’s sixth‑round fixture.

Ballon d’Or and looming doubts

Dembélé entered the season as the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner while wearing the Paris Saint‑Germain shirt, a distinction that has already sparked speculation about his future. Media outlets have asked whether he could lose his prized ‘bien’ on 26 October, a date that looms over the club’s calendar.

If the voters had based their judgment solely on what the French international has displayed in recent weeks, the answer would be straightforward, according to analysts. His performances have failed to inspire, leaving many to question whether the early hype still holds weight.

The winger’s start to the campaign has been as sluggish as Paris Saint‑Germain’s own opening fixtures, offering little of the dynamism fans expect. Moreover, his showing at the recent France squad gathering was far from convincing, adding another layer to the growing unease surrounding his form.

Enrique’s praise and pragmatic rest

When pressed for his assessment, Luis Enrique declared, “For me, he has been brilliant in the national team. As usual.” The Spanish‑born coach highlighted Dembélé’s impact for France, contrasting it with his club form.

He went on to praise the former Barcelona star, saying, “He is a different player. You can pay a ticket to see him play. He always shows up and is connected to his teammates. He was very good.” Such effusive remarks underline the coach’s belief in Dembélé’s intrinsic quality.

Nevertheless, Enrique announced for the second time this season that Dembélé would sit out the Le Mans encounter. “We decided together that Nuno (Mendes) and Ousmane (Dembélé) should rest for the next matches,” he told the press, confirming the winger’s absence from the squad.

Enrique concluded by urging journalists and followers to accept the pattern, stating, “You must get used to it, because it will be typical this season.” He reminded everyone that resting players in Ligue 1 has been a hallmark of his approach in previous campaigns, suggesting more absences may follow.