Dembele from laughingstock to 'king' of world football

Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d'Or.

A player once considered a £115 million “flop” of Barcelona, who spent six seasons drowning in injuries, lack of discipline and embarrassing scandals, has now become the number one face of world football. But that sublimation did not come from a miracle. It was written from a difficult journey of growing up, and especially from perseverance behind the scenes - where his mother Fatimata and his mysterious wife, Rima Edbouche.

From "bad kid" to PSG leader

It’s hard to remember that just a few years ago, Dembele was a symbol of frustration at Barcelona. He spent 784 days struggling in bed with 14 muscle injuries, was repeatedly fined for being late to training, and had a habit of staying up all night playing games. The climax was the incident in 2021 when a video of him and Antoine Griezmann making derogatory comments about Asians was exposed, causing Dembele’s image to collapse in the eyes of the public.

From a young player who once stunned Dortmund and all of Europe with his speed and two-footed technique, Dembele was at risk of becoming a typical example of “wasted talent”. But then, a turning point appeared, not only on the field, but also in his personal life.

In 2021, Dembele married Rima Edbouche - a former Moroccan TikTok star who once had more than 300,000 followers. Rima is famous for her discreet fashion style and lifestyle associated with the Islamic faith. After getting married, she almost disappeared from social networks, keeping her personal image and family life private. That quiet choice was a strong boost for Dembele.

Rima is credited with laying the foundation for his growth. She instilled in her husband seriousness, discipline and a sense of family commitment.

Since becoming a father, Dembele has completely changed: hiring a nutritionist, investing in a recovery regime, even flying back to France to treat his injury. On the field, the image of a lethargic, irresponsible player has disappeared. Instead, he is a “pressing warrior”, running non-stop in the PSG shirt.

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Dembele's story is an interesting journey.

After the glorious night in Paris, Rima posted only one word “Proud” with a photo of her husband lifting the trophy. Short, cold but enough to depict her role - someone who doesn’t need to appear much, but changes Dembele’s career.

If Rima was the catalyst, Dembele’s parents were at the root of his success. His father, an immigrant from Mali, worked quietly to support the family. His mother, Fatimata, acted as his unofficial “agent”, accompanying him from his professional contract at Rennes to his £12m move to Dortmund. She was also the one sitting next to Dembele when he won the Ballon d’Or.

Sharing with La Parisien newspaper , she emotionally said: "Even when we were young, we dreamed of Barcelona, but the Golden Ball was never a dream. Seeing my son become the number one player in the world, it's hard to believe, but I'm not surprised."

That statement shows the absolute faith she has in Dembele. That faith, along with his father's sacrifice, is the foundation that helps him overcome the dark days in Spain.

Grown from pressure and responsibility

What has set Dembele apart over the past few years is not just his improved fitness, but his professional attitude. He no longer sees football as a chore, but as a responsibility of a grown man – a husband and a father.

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Dembele is much more mature now.

His tireless sprints last season in PSG’s jersey went viral online, with the surprised comment: “Is this really the same Dembele who was lazy at Barca?” At the age of 28, he has become a mainstay and an example for his juniors at the club and the French national team.

Looking back, Dembele’s journey is clear evidence that the Ballon d’Or is not just measured by goals or trophies, but also by maturity. He went from the bottom of disappointment, overcoming injury, scandal and doubt to become the world’s number one.

That success cannot be separated from the silent companions. A strong mother, a silent father, and a wife who refused the spotlight to devote herself to the family. They contributed to turning Dembele from a "bad kid" into a true champion.

The 2025 Ballon d'Or is therefore not just a reward for individual effort. It is a story of rebirth, of how a player once considered a failure rose up with faith, responsibility and family love. And when Dembele shed tears in Paris, it was not only tears of glory, but also proof that, in football as in life, no one can win alone.

Source: https://znews.vn/dembele-tu-tro-cuoi-thanh-nha-vua-the-gioi-bong-da-post1587709.html