PSG back Ousmane Dembele rest decision amid fatigue concerns

Nasser Al-Khelaifi has backed the decision to rest Ousmane Dembele, saying the PSG star is carrying fatigue after a demanding run of matches.

The club’s president made clear that the player’s workload has become a serious concern.

Dembele was left out of the squad for Friday’s trip to Lille after PSG decided he needed time to recover. The issue became more visible after an animated halftime discussion between Dembele and Luis Enrique during the draw with Rennes, which led to internal talks about the best way forward.

Luis Enrique had already praised the winger’s commitment, noting that Dembele made a major effort during his summer break to be ready for the Super Cup matches. The coach also described him as an essential player for the team, which shows how important he remains despite the current pause.

Al-Khelaifi’s comments suggest PSG want to manage the situation carefully rather than escalate it. The club view the break as a practical solution, not a punishment, and expect Dembele to return next week refreshed and ready to rejoin the group. That approach reflects PSG’s broader challenge this season: balancing ambition with the physical demands placed on key players.