It’s been just one month since Ousmane Dembélé was crowned the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner — a moment celebrated high above Paris at the iconic Hôtel de Crillon.
After six weeks on the sidelines with a muscle injury sustained while on international duty with France, Dembélé made his return to action on Tuesday for Paris Saint-Germain, now officially recognized as the world’s best player.
His comeback comes on Matchday 3 of the Champions League, as Luis Enrique’s side visited Bayer Leverkusen looking to maintain their perfect record.
The reigning European champions started their title defense in dominant fashion — thrashing Atalanta 4–0 before edging Barcelona 2–1 at Montjuïc.
In Germany, the mission is clear: to keep asserting their supremacy, now with their star man back on the pitch.
Dembélé is not the only key returnee. Captain Marquinhos, who had been sidelined for a month, is also back in the squad. Their comebacks strengthen a team gradually overcoming its recent injury troubles.
However, João Neves and Fabián Ruiz remain unavailable, while Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both made their returns in last Friday’s 3–3 draw against Strasbourg.
Meanwhile, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Achraf Hakimi — all rested for that game — are expected to start tonight.
That weekend draw cost PSG the top spot in Ligue 1, now held by Marseille. Yet Luis Enrique came to the defense of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, condemning the harsh media criticism — reminding reporters how Gianluigi Donnarumma was once “killed” by public opinion.
