French football icon hails PSG’s Ousmane Dembele as ‘Lionel Messi like genius’ in Arsenal win

Ousmane Dembele's already stellar season hit a high point on April 29. He helped Paris Saint-Germain secure their first Champions League semi-final leg win in a double-legged semi-final after defeating Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

PSG, which last won a semi-final match in 2020 during COVID, with a 3-0 victory over RB Leipzig in a single-leg format, had a Dembele stamp written all over at North London.

He scored after just four minutes to secure PSG's crucial 1-0 win at the Emirates which sparked a dominant 20-minute spell that left Arsenal reeling.

Arsenal recovered midway through the match, with chances for Martinelli and Trossard denied by Donnarumma.

Merino's goal was ruled offside by VAR. PSG regained control late on, with Barcola and Ramos missing opportunities to extend their lead and Despite Arsenal's resilience, PSG's tactical superiority proved decisive.

Ousmane Dembele exploits praised by Christophe Dugarry.

Dembele’s performance was praised by former French footballer Christophe Dugarry, who believes Dembele has "something of Lionel Messi" in his game.

"In his movements away from the ball, there is something of Messi in what Dembélé does," Dugarry said to RMC Sport's "Rothen s'enflamme" program.

"He knows how to make himself forget to bring the ball out, play between the lines like Messi did."

Dembele played alongside the Argentine legend for four seasons at Barcelona from 2017 to 2021, before Messi's departure to PSG and Dembele's eventual move to Paris in 2023.

"Did Dembélé learn from Messi when they were both at Barcelona? Messi knows how to completely disconnect from the ball," Dugarry explained.

"Dembélé brings speed and his ingredients. But in his movements away from the ball, there's Messi in what Dembélé does in the heart of the game."

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