Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos and midfielder Vitinha have reportedly stood by Ousmane Dembele after the forward’s controversial outburst following the team’s 3-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Stade Rennais.
Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, expressed frustration in his post-match interview, urging teammates to overcome selfish attitudes and prioritize collective performance. He stated: “The players need to get over their selfish attitudes and focus on collective performance to get back to their best form.”
The comments came after PSG’s disappointing loss at Roazhon Park, where Rennes capitalized on a poor start from the Parisians. Midfielder Joao Neves added to the discussion by saying: “When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their face.”
PSG manager Luis Enrique downplayed any deeper issues within the squad, describing Dembele’s remarks as a reflection of frustration from the defeat rather than evidence of ego problems. He insisted there are no such egoistic issues and emphasized that the words stemmed from the immediate disappointment of the result.
According to reports, Dembele’s call for greater team unity resonated with key figures Marquinhos and Vitinha, who believe some players are not sufficiently prioritizing the collective good, aligning with the winger’s views.
The defeat has heightened scrutiny on PSG’s squad dynamics as they navigate a competitive Ligue 1 season and prepare for upcoming fixtures, including European commitments. Dembele’s comments highlight ongoing discussions around team mentality following a challenging performance.
Read also
- PSG preparing fifth kit release inspired by Paris nightlife
- Marcus Rashford set for PSG move as Barcelona struggle financially