Luis Enrique says Ousmane Dembele ticks the boxes needed to win Ballon d'Or
Dembele has been outstanding during a campaign in which PSG have already won four trophies and Enrique sees no better candidate for the award of world's best player.
IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL!#PSGREAL I #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/THMn1tW31U
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 9, 2025
The former Spain and Barcelona manager said: 'To win it you have to score goals and get assists and then bring silverware to their team.
'If there is one player who has done all that it is Ousmane Dembele. He is far and away above other players in my opinion.'
Dembele's strike came between two from Fabian Ruiz as PSG took charge with three goals inside the first 24 minutes. Goncalo Ramos wrapped up the scoring late on.
It was a blistering performance reminiscent of their 5-0 hammering of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
PSG now have the chance to secure an historic quintuple having also won three domestic trophies as well as their European success.
Enrique said: 'That was always our objective from the onset. It's very difficult to achieve. We're one win away from building history and that's very significant for us and our fans.
'Its my absolute pleasure to have worked in Paris.'
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso admitted defeat was a painful experience but is convinced he has the materials to build a strong side.
The former Real and Liverpool midfielder succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in May at the end of a disappointing domestic season in which the club failed to win a trophy.
Alonso said: 'PSG are playing at a top, top level. We are not the first to have a big defeat against them. It was really tough to play against them.
'It is a painful defeat, we have to admit, that but this will tell us the areas we need to improve.
'It is going to be a challenge but we will face that.'
The game marked a sad end to veteran midfielder Luka Modric's illustrious 13-year career with Real, in which he won 28 trophies.
The Croatian, who came off the bench for the last 26 minutes, is set to join AC Milan before next season.
'He will be remembered as a football icon,' said Alonso. 'He will not be remembered for today's match.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
3 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Alex Greenwood: England's game against Wales is the most important yet
England's clash against Wales is England's most important game of their Euro 2025 campaign yet, according to Alex Greenwood. The meeting between the two home nations in St. Gallen is another must-win clash for the Lionesses, who currently sit on three points in Group D. They lost their opening game 2-1 to France before going on to get a necessary victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday to keep their hopes of a quarter-final spot alive. It sets up an enticing battle with neighbours Wales, and Greenwood needed no reminding of the magnitude of the occasion. "For me personally, it is the most important game we're going to play,' she said. "That's how I treat it. For the fans and everybody around there the rivalry is brilliant. The atmosphere is going to be great and something we should look forward to." The pressure of the big occasion could be enough to cause some teams to choke on the big stage, but when faced with such expectations against the Netherlands, England stepped up in style. A Lauren James brace in addition to goals from Ella Toone and Georgia Stanway saw the Lionesses fly to a resounding 4-0 win at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. For Greenwood, it is a pressure they have become well-acquainted with. "[Having a target on our back] is something we are used to now. That's the pressure we have invited because we have been successful and it is something we should be proud of,' she said. "As a team we don't focus too much on that. We focus on ourselves and the gameplan. "We enjoy pressure, but we also thrive in those moments. We showed that the other night against the Netherlands. "That was a high-pressure game and we performed under the highest pressure. Tomorrow becomes another high pressure game and we're all really looking forward to it." See you tomorrow for a big one, #Lionesses fans! 🏴🏴 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 12, 2025 Part of England's success against the Netherlands came from Sarina Wiegman's tactical decision to move Greenwood out to left-back and bring Jess Carter, who struggled on the flank against France, into the centre-back role. With the threat of Chasity Grant down the right and Vivianne Miedema nullified it was a decision that paid dividends. But despite the seemingly major role change, Greenwood feels the tactical thought process is actually very similar. "[There are not as many differences] as you would think. In my role here at England as a left-back, Sarina still allows me to play to my ability,' she explained. "There are some slight differences tactically but I have been a left-back for a large parts of my career. "It is not foreign to play there. I enjoy playing there, it gives a different side to my game. "It is not overwhelming or too much to think about. It is gameplan, opposition, what's best for the team and that's the most important thing." In her versatility Greenwood has proven invaluable for the Lionesses for over a decade, featuring in their 2015 World Cup squad. It saw her rack up her 100th international appearance in the opening game against France to join an exclusive club. "Playing for England has always been a dream of mine. To then make 100 caps for my country is something I genuinely didn't think I would achieve,' she said. "I'm grateful to all the people who have helped me along the way."
North Wales Chronicle
14 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres faces disciplinary action for training no-show
The Portuguese club warned Gyokeres' no-show will make the striker's possible departure to Arsenal 'more complicated'. Gyokeres, who scored 39 league goals to fire Sporting to the Portuguese title last season, is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wishlist. However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee and the 27-year-old has appeared to play his hand by refusing to return for pre-season training. However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas told Portuguese news agency LUSA, 'We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group. 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years. 'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. 'No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.' Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in a new striker before the club's pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, with Arsenal due to play their first match, against AC Milan, on July 23. Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard has been brought in from Brentford, along with Spain international Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Chelsea. Arsenal are also closing in on a £52million deal for Chelsea's England forward Noni Madueke.
Glasgow Times
15 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres faces disciplinary action for training no-show
The Portuguese club warned Gyokeres' no-show will make the striker's possible departure to Arsenal 'more complicated'. Gyokeres, who scored 39 league goals to fire Sporting to the Portuguese title last season, is understood to be at the top of Arsenal's wishlist. Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last season (Zed Jameson/PA) However, the two clubs are yet to agree a transfer fee and the 27-year-old has appeared to play his hand by refusing to return for pre-season training. However, Sporting president Frederico Varandas told Portuguese news agency LUSA, 'We're calm. Everything can be solved with the closure of the market, a hefty fine and an apology to the group. 'If they don't want to pay Viktor's fair market value, we'll be very comfortable with that for the next three years. 'If the geniuses who are devising this strategy think that this puts pressure on me to make it easier for him to leave, not only are they completely wrong, but they are also making it more complicated for the player to leave. 'No one is above the interests of the club. Whoever they are.' Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to bring in a new striker before the club's pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong, with Arsenal due to play their first match, against AC Milan, on July 23. Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard has been brought in from Brentford, along with Spain international Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Chelsea. Arsenal are also closing in on a £52million deal for Chelsea's England forward Noni Madueke.
