Ousmane Dembele has been in scintillating form, and his recent performances have sent shockwaves through world football.
The Paris Saint-Germain star stunned fans and pundits alike with back-to-back hat-tricks—first in the UEFA Champions League against Stuttgart, followed by another treble in Ligue 1 against Brest just five days later. This goal-scoring spree is particularly remarkable for Dembele, who has long been known for his creative play rather than his finishing ability. In stark contrast to last season, where he managed just six goals in 51 appearances, the French international now looks like a completely reinvented player.
Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been witnessing the rise of a new, more lethal version of Dembele throughout the campaign. With 21 goals already across all competitions, he has surpassed his combined tally from the last three seasons, where he netted only 17 times. Not since his 2018/19 season at Barcelona—when he registered 14 goals and eight assists—has Dembele demonstrated such prolificacy. With five months remaining in the 2024/25 season, he has already exceeded those numbers, leading many to believe this could be his defining year.
“He’s in top form at the moment,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. “Obviously, his numbers have already improved compared to his previous seasons as a professional. However, setting limits is not our aim with Ousmane.”
Enrique’s managerial expertise has played a crucial role in unlocking this goal-scoring version of Dembele. The Spanish tactician has made bold choices, including leaving the winger out of PSG’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal. Yet, his strategic decisions have ultimately paid off, as Dembele has flourished in his new central role. Previously confined to the right flank, he now operates as a center forward, a move that has transformed his game.
“I’m feeling good in the number nine role, and my job is to score goals,” Dembele said after his hat-trick against Brest. “I used to play on the right side, hugging the touchline, where scoring was much harder. Now, I get into better positions, and finishing becomes easier.”
The turning point came in December against Lyon, when Dembele capitalized on his new position just eight minutes into the game. Since then, he has been unstoppable, netting 15 goals in his last nine matches, including a brace against Monaco. Interestingly, while he registered eight assists in his first 11 games this season, he has yet to provide one in his recent surge—an indication of his complete transformation into a goal machine.
His red-hot form has not gone unnoticed. French national team coach Didier Deschamps was quick to acknowledge Dembele’s improvement. “He has sharpened his finishing significantly, and that’s no surprise given his talent,” Deschamps told L’Équipe. “His positional shift plays a role, but we’ve always known Dembele is lethal in training. His ability to score with both feet is an asset that sets him apart.”
With PSG fighting for silverware on multiple fronts—including Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League—Dembele remains a central figure in their ambitions. However, once the club season concludes, his sights will shift to an even bigger stage: the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. PSG is set to compete in the United States against Atlético de Madrid, Botafogo, and Seattle Sounders. Given his current form, Dembele is poised to be a leading contender for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
As the tournament approaches, football fans worldwide will be eager to see whether Dembele can carry his blistering goal-scoring streak onto the global stage. If his recent exploits are any indication, PSG’s star forward might just set the Club World Cup alight with yet another unforgettable performance.