Dembélé's journey at FC Barcelona began in 2017, when the club secured his services from Borussia Dortmund for a then-record transfer fee of €148 million, including performance-related add-ons. His arrival was highly anticipated, and he quickly made an impact. Dembélé's debut season at Barcelona saw him contribute to the team’s successes in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He also scored crucial goals, including a memorable strike in the UEFA Champions League against Chelsea in 2018.
However, his time at Barcelona wasn’t without its challenges. Dembélé’s promising start was marred by a series of injuries, particularly hamstring issues, which kept him sidelined for extended periods. Despite these setbacks, Dembélé's resilience allowed him to recover and remain a key player for the team.
In the later stages of his Barcelona career, Dembélé's form improved significantly. By the 2021–2022 season, he had become an integral part of the team, registering 11 assists in La Liga alone. His consistent performances led to a contract renewal in 2022, extending his stay at Barcelona until 2024.
Throughout his time at Barcelona, Dembélé formed a strong relationship with several of his teammates, and his connection with Gavi stood out. The two developed a partnership that played a crucial role in Barcelona's attack during Dembélé's final years at the club. Their camaraderie was evident both on and off the pitch, as seen in the recent Instagram update, where Dembélé shared a memorable photo with Gavi from their time together at Barcelona.
The bond between the two players was also evident when Dembélé expressed his support for Gavi following the midfielder's serious ACL injury while playing for Spain in November 2023. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Dembélé wrote, "A lot of strength, my brother Gavi."
No comments:
Post a Comment