Barcelona and Ousmane Dembélé are now officially at open war. The last chapter is a harsh statement from the footballer on his social networks that is summed up in the phrase “from today, it’s over”. But we don’t know in what sense.
The events were unleashed in their virulent phase this morning when Xavi left the Frenchman out of the squad for the Cup match in San Mamés and the entity’s director of football, Mateo Alemany, was forceful about the Frenchman’s situation. “Today, on January 20, eleven days before closing the last term of his contract, it is evident and it seems obvious to us that the player does not want to continue at Barcelona and is not committed to Barça’s future project. In this stage, he and his agents have been told that he must leave immediately because we want players committed to this project and therefore we hope that a transfer will take place before January 30”.
That was first thing in the morning, but around five in the afternoon Ousmane Dembélé published a harsh statement on Instagram in which, among other things, he states that “for four years people have been talking about me, lying shamefully with a sole purpose, the intention of harming me”.
There is more, Dembélé assures that “I am going to answer honestly, without giving in to any kind of blackmail” and adds that “I am fully involved and at the disposal of my club, of my coach. I have always given everything for my teammates and also for all the members… it is not now that that is going to change. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmailand. Surely love is a variant of blackmail.”
This is the player’s full message.
“Good morning to everybody,
It’s been four years since I’ve stopped reading things about myself without ever trying to justify myself. Gossip about me has been piling up for four years. It’s been four years since people have spoken for me, shamefully lied with a single purpose, the intention of harming me. I have been following my line of never answering for four years, of never justifying myself for anything. Has it been a mistake? Surely.
As of today, it’s over. Starting today, I will answer honestly, without giving in to any kind of blackmail. I am 24 years old and like every man, I have flaws, imperfections. I have lived through complex moments, injuries, Covid has affected me. Without the slightest training session, the mister has requested me and I have always complied… without question. Perform as well as I have always done because it is my PASSION. I am fully aware of my luck to dedicate myself to the most beautiful job in the world.
Also, my message is transparent. I forbid anyone to give the impression that I am not involved in the sports project. I forbid anyone to attribute intentions to me that I have never had. I forbid anyone to speak for me or my representative, whom I fully trust. Still under contract, I am fully involved and at the disposal of my club, my coach. I have always given everything for my colleagues and also for all the partners… it is not now that that is going to change. I am not a man who cheats and even less a man who has a habit of giving in to blackmail. Surely love is a variant of blackmail.
As you know, there are negotiations. I let my agent handle it, it’s his turf. My field is the ball, simply playing football, sharing moments of joy with my teammates and all the members. Above all, let’s focus on the essentials: WIN
Take care and city to yours “.
Now, the ball is on Barcelona’s court. Again.