I needed that – Lionel Messi’s kindness gave Ousmane Dembele strength

When Ousmane Dembele made history as the first PSG player to win the Ballon d’Or, you might expect that victory to be his proudest memory.

Instead, it’s a simple photograph from 2019 that the French star treasures most, Lionel Messi comforting him after a painful injury against his former club, Borussia Dortmund, in the Champions League.

“Surprisingly, it’s the picture of Messi comforting me when I got injured against my former club (Borussia Dortmund) in the 2019 Champions League,” Dembele reveals.

What makes that moment so meaningful is Messi’s encouragement. “Don’t worry, you will be alright.”

“At that early stage in my career, I needed that and he always encouraged me,” Dembele adds.

Although injuries limited their time together at Barcelona, that one act of kindness became more valuable than any trophy. In football, it’s not just the silverware or roaring crowds that shape an athlete, it’s the compassion of teammates during the toughest times.