Ousmane Dembele Criticizes Paris Saint-Germain Squad Mentality Following 3-1 Loss to Rennes in Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain are facing a storm behind the scenes after Ousmane Dembele openly criticized the squad’s mentality following a disappointing 3-1 loss to Rennes over the weekend.

The European giants, fresh off a historic sextuple last season, are struggling to maintain the dominance that defined their record-breaking campaign.

Currently second in Ligue 1 behind RC Lens, PSG also find themselves in the Champions League play-off qualifiers rather than the comfortable group stage positioning they had hoped for.

Last Season’s Marathon Takes Its Toll

PSG’s grueling schedule from last season seems to be affecting the current campaign.

The 2025-26 season followed an unprecedented calendar that saw the team finish on Club World Cup Final in mid-July, with only three weeks of rest before pre-season training.

The team then faced Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Super Cup final on August 13.

The tight schedule has left coach Luis Enrique battling a wave of injuries.

Stars like Dembele, Desire Doue, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola have all spent time sidelined.

Meanwhile, PSG’s recruitment has struggled to deliver the quality depth expected for a squad of their stature.

Dembele’s Blunt Message

After the defeat to Rennes, Ballon d’Or winner Dembele made pointed comments to Ligue 1+, warning that the team isn’t working collectively.

“We need to put Paris Saint-Germain first because if everyone plays for themselves, it won’t work.

Last season, we put the club above everything before thinking of ourselves.

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We need to rediscover that, especially in matches like this. It’s Paris Saint-Germain that needs to come first, not individuals.”

The remarks sparked an immediate stir inside the club, with speculation over whether the criticism was aimed at younger squad members, particularly Desire Doue.

Dembele has reportedly clarified in private that his comments were general and not targeted at any individual.

Enrique Steps In

Coach Luis Enrique addressed the situation head-on during a post-match debrief.

According to L’Equipe, Enrique emphasized team unity, telling players that “dirty laundry is best washed within the family” and signaling that the matter is closed.

Historically, Enrique hasn’t shied away from disciplining Dembele.

The pair previously clashed in 2024 after a heated exchange in a match against Rennes, which led to Dembele being dropped against Arsenal.

Whether Enrique will take similar action ahead of PSG’s upcoming Champions League clash against AS Monaco remains unclear.

Squad Concerns and Incentive Structure

The controversy also highlights a disconnect in perception.

PSG reportedly pays all players equally for goals and assists, so claims of rising individualism have puzzled some teammates.

Fans and pundits are divided, with some sympathizing with Dembele’s call for unity, while others question whether the forward’s comments could further destabilize morale.

What’s Next?

PSG now faces a critical period where team cohesion will be tested.

The Champions League fixture against Monaco could serve as a litmus test for whether Enrique’s squad can respond positively or if tensions will affect performance.

Injuries and underwhelming recruitment continue to pose challenges, meaning how the club addresses internal friction could be decisive for the remainder of the season.

Public and media scrutiny is likely to remain high, and PSG will need to balance star personalities with the collective spirit required to maintain their domestic and European ambitions.

Summary

Paris Saint-Germain’s dressing room is reportedly tense after Ousmane Dembele criticized the squad’s mentality following a 3-1 defeat to Rennes.

Coach Luis Enrique has sought to calm the situation, emphasizing unity and private resolution of issues.

With injuries, recruitment struggles, and upcoming Champions League clashes, PSG’s ability to reconcile internal tensions and restore the collective focus that fueled last season’s historic sextuple will be key to sustaining their ambitions both in Ligue 1 and Europe.