Enrique sends Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé on break ahead of Lille derby
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has given Ousmane Dembélé a short rest as the club manages his post–World Cup fatigue.
Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will be unavailable for Paris Saint-Germain's upcoming league fixture at Lille after head coach Luis Enrique decided to give the forward a short break.
Dembélé returned to the PSG squad on 12 August in the UEFA Super Cup match against Aston Villa, but the toll of a very demanding previous season and his World Cup involvement has shown.
Rest and rotation
In that Super Cup game Dembélé logged 45 minutes, and Enrique subsequently used him in the league matches against Lens and Rennes to help him regain match rhythm. Observing that the player is not yet fully ready, Enrique — in consultation with sporting director Luis Campos — opted to spare him from obligations for the remainder of the week.
According to French reports, Dembélé has been granted time off until Monday (31 August 2026) and will not be in contention for PSG's trip to Lille on Friday night (28 August 2026).
The absence opens the door for Ferran Torres to continue proving why PSG invested heavily to sign him from Barcelona this summer. Torres impressed last weekend against Rennes and will have another chance on Friday to build on that performance.
Photo: press material from the event
