French star Ousmane Dembélé missed Paris Saint-Germain’s first three matches in the Club World Cup due to a thigh muscle injury sustained during France’s match on June 5. Despite his absence, he remained in the coaching staff’s plans, with anticipation building around his return.

Now, the Ballon d’Or contender is ready to rejoin the squad. He showcased both physical and mental readiness during Thursday’s training session at Kennesaw State University in suburban Atlanta. Dembélé impressed with his sharp touches, decisive dribbles, and lively interaction with teammates—particularly Bradley Barcola—highlighting his strong desire to reclaim a starting role.

Coach Luis Enrique now faces a tactical dilemma: should he start Dembélé against Inter Miami in the Round of 16 second leg, or use him as a secret weapon off the bench? Enrique has typically taken a cautious approach with players returning from injury, as seen in the previous match against Seattle Sounders, which PSG won 2–0.
Enrique’s philosophy centers on tactical variety and squad rotation, avoiding overreliance on any single star—a point he’s made repeatedly when discussing players like Vitinha, Mbappé, and Gonçalo Ramos. Nonetheless, Dembélé remains a key pillar of the team, thanks to his ability to play as a “false nine,” combining explosive forward runs with playmaking and high pressing.

Dembélé scored 33 goals and provided 15 assists this season, underlining his massive impact on the team’s performance. In his absence, PSG struggled offensively—losing 1–0 to Botafogo and narrowly defeating Seattle after multiple unsuccessful experiments in attack.

Enrique tested several replacements in Dembélé’s role—such as Kvaratskhelia, Doku, Barcola, Kang-in Lee, Mayulu, and Ramos—but the team missed the finishing touch that the Frenchman consistently provides.

In past interviews, Dembélé expressed his love for a free attacking role, saying:
"I enjoy playing as a forward who makes runs behind the defense, but I’m also comfortable dropping into midfield to create. I naturally shift between both roles."

Enrique also praised Dembélé earlier this season, noting his intelligence in the box and ability to score with a single touch.

Now, after a long goal drought since April 29, Dembélé is determined to find the net again in the Club World Cup. He started the year strong with two hat-tricks in January and February and is known for his hunger for goals:
"In every match, I aim for a hat-trick. But if I score one or two, I’m happy too."

The upcoming clash with Inter Miami presents a golden opportunity for Dembélé to prove his readiness and make a strong comeback—especially with young rival Lamine Yamal absent, possibly boosting his Ballon d'Or chances. The match also carries emotional weight, as it could pit him against former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, adding a personal edge and extra motivation for the French star.