Ousmane Dembele responds to criticism after Ballon d’Or win

Ousmane Dembele has responded calmly to the criticism that followed his transformation into one of Paris Saint-Germain’s biggest stars.

In an interview with France Football, the French forward acknowledged that his higher profile has placed him under far greater scrutiny, but insisted that outside opinions do not affect his mindset.

Dembélé has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past two years. After previously being questioned for his lack of consistency in front of goal, he has become a decisive scorer for PSG and earned the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

That achievement has brought greater expectations, as well as more intense criticism whenever his performances fall below the highest standard. Dembele, however, refuses to become distracted.

“I don’t care about being criticised. It is part of the game,” he said. The forward added that criticism is unavoidable in football and becomes even more frequent after winning the sport’s most prestigious individual award.

He also understands that social media has made players’ performances easier to judge instantly. “You have to be strong all the time. You have to be good in every match, otherwise people say, ‘Oh, look!’ It is funny, but it changes nothing. We will always receive criticism,” Dembele explained.

The PSG star’s response reflects his confidence and maturity as he embraces his new status.