Enrique: Dembele is stunning

Spanish coach Luis Enrique, manager of French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain, praised his international winger Ousmane Dembélé, winner of the Ballon d’Or, for his “stunning” performance in PSG’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Slovak side Slovan Bratislava, marking the start of their title defense in the UEFA Champions League.

Enrique said: “That was the Ousmane we all know, the one we’ve seen over the past three years. When you see his ability to create chances, press, and help the team, you feel genuine happiness.” He added, “He played wonderfully. He will gradually regain his fitness, but it is truly wonderful to see a player with such potential.”

The Spanish manager continued: “Kvaratskhelia and Doku are both stunning players. In my view, Kvaratskhelia is capable of winning the Ballon d’Or, as are Dembélé and many other players.”

The 30-man shortlist for football’s highest individual honor includes ten players from PSG.

Enrique also praised his Ivorian counterpart Yaya Touré, Slovan Bratislava’s manager, despite his team’s heavy defeat. He said: “It is difficult to play away against the team that won the title in the past two years, but I admired the way they tried to play football.”