By Juan Samuel Santana Chávez

When people talk about the French National Team, Kylian Mbappé's name usually steals the spotlight, but Ousmane Dembélé has established himself as one of the most decisive players for the French squad. The winger, born on May 15, 1997, in Vernon, France, took his first professional steps at Stade Rennais, where his speed, one-on-one ability, and capacity to play with both feet caught the attention of Europe's top clubs. He later played for Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona before signing with Paris Saint-Germain, the team with which he has found his best form.

At the club level, Dembélé boasts an impressive trophy cabinet that includes league titles in France and Spain, as well as domestic cups and Super Cups. His dribbling, vision, and ability to assist and score goals have made him one of the most complete forwards in European football. In the 2025-26 season, he was one of PSG's standout performers, playing a key role in their UEFA Champions League triumph and other titles, establishing himself as a contender for the year's top individual awards.

With the French National Team, Dembélé has participated in three World Cups: Russia 2018, where he was crowned champion; Qatar 2022, a tournament in which the French finished as runners-up; and the 2026 World Cup, where he continues to be a fundamental piece in the attacking scheme of the Gallic team. His international experience, combined with his explosiveness and ability to unbalance defenses on the wings, shows that France doesn't depend solely on Mbappé, but also has another star capable of making a difference in the most important moments of world football.