PSG rest Ousmane Dembele ahead of Lille clash

Paris Saint-Germain have granted Ousmane Dembele five days away from football, meaning the reigning Ballon d’Or winner will miss training and Friday’s Ligue 1 meeting with Lille.

The decision follows his early substitution during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Rennes, where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was also withdrawn at half-time.

PSG said the break had been agreed with head coach Luis Enrique and the sporting department. “In agreement with the coach and the sporting management, Ousmane Dembele will benefit from a period of rest over the next few days. He will return to training on Monday with the entire group,” the club announced.

The attacker has endured a disrupted pre-season after enjoying three weeks off following France’s 2026 World Cup campaign. He returned shortly before the European Super Cup victory over Aston Villa, entering from the bench and assisting Desire Doue. Dembele then remained among the substitutes against Lens before starting at Rennes.

Luis Enrique stressed that past achievements offer no protection at PSG. “The most important thing for me is that there is no credit: you have to show every day, in every training session and every match, that you are ready,” he said.

Ferran Torres, who scored twice against Rennes, could replace Dembele against Lille.