Barcelona star Ousmane Dembele has revealed it Lionel Messi has played a crucial role in his recovery in form this season.
The French international has had a difficult time in Catalonia, after his 2017 move from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund with injuries and a diminution and confidence affected him.
However, he has returned to the fold after Ronald Koeman‘s arrival ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, and he made his 100th club appearance in the 5-1 La Liga victory over Alaves last weekend.
He looks set to start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League match tomorrow, and the 23-year-old confirmed that some wise words from his captain have made a big difference.
“He tells me how to position myself and when to pass because I like to dribble when I have the ball “, he told an interview with UEFA.com, reported via Diario AS.
“I like to go forward alone. Sometimes he asks me to calm down, go out wide or wait for a teammate and not always try to drip past three or four opponents.
“Leo is a genius, we all know that. He is the best football player in history. He was an inspiration to me as a young man, and he still is.
“Honestly, it’s an honor for me to play with him.”
Dembele has so far only scored two league goals in 2020/21, but his form in Europe was the key to Barcelona’s progress from the group stage.
He scored three Champions League goals in four starts, including a memorable goal away at Juventus in October with Messi and Les Bleus’ team-mate Antoine Griezmann.
