SUMMARY
- Barcelona faced PSG for the UEFA quarter finals.
- Ex-Barcelona player Ousmane Dembele showcased his skills by scoring a swift goal in the 48th minute.
It looks like Ousmane Dembele has picked up a fight with the FC Barcelona fanbase. The Frenchman had the audacity to celebrate a goal against his former team when PSG took on Barcelona in the first leg of the QFs of UCL 23/24.
The 26-year-old demonstrated the swiftness of his feet against the Catalan to score in the 48th minute for Paris Saint Germain. Ousmane Dembele then went on to celebrate his goal along with his teammates, much to the dismay of the FC Barcelona fans.
🔴🔵 PSG make it 2-1 in first minutes of the second half…
…with Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha’s first Champions League goals of the season. pic.twitter.com/nzoXo0qGWA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 10, 2024
The Catalan team’s fans were surprised to see such an unruly attitude towards his former club, which had supported him through a difficult period. The Barca fans feel betrayed by the 26-year-old and look very eager to exact revenge on their former player.
What is the Luis Figo Treatment?
Ousmane Dembele finds himself in a similar position as Luis Figo in 2002. The Portuguese player had betrayed FC Barcelona, where he was revered and adored to join their fiercest rivals Real Madrid. The Catalan giants felt Figo had back-stabbed him and were angered by the sight of the Portuguese wearing the Real Madrid kit.
That is why when Luis Figo arrived at Camp Nou in 2002 to play a game against FC Barcelona, the fans made sure that the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner faced a hard time. Fans of the Catalan team pursued the Real Madrid team bus asking for Luis Figo to come out and address the FC Barcelona fanbase.
The 51-year-old was constantly booed by the crowd whenever Luis Figo was on the ball. Being the set-piece taker for Real Madrid, Figo must have been through the toughest game of his life.
On this day (Saturday 23/11/2002) FC Barcelona and Real Madrid played a scoreless El Clasico. Despite teams featuring Patrick Kluivert, Juan Riquelme, Raul and Luis Figo, not many clear chances were created.
Despite no goals, this match made headlines for Luis Figo’s second… pic.twitter.com/SnTuIxT2tZ
— FCB Goal (@goal_fcb) November 23, 2023
The FC Barcelona fans threw a variety of waste items at the Portuguese player whenever he went to take a corner kick. Amongst the many items, alcohol bottles and a pig’s head were thrown to traumatize Luis Figo.
Ousmane Dembele too has done a similar betrayal with the Spanish team’s fanbase. He had refuted a contract extension with Barca to join Paris Saint Germany for some extra cash.
And then upset the Catalan fans by celebrating his goal in PSG’s 3-2 loss to Barca. Hence, many fans amongst the Catalan team’s fan community, are wanting to give the Frenchman a similar treatment as Luis Figo.
Ousmane Dembele refused to extend his Barcelona contract in 2023 for a move to PSG
The Frenchman had a surreal transfer saga in 2023. The Frenchman’s last contract with FC Barcelona which ran until the summer of 2024 was signed in 2022. After the arrival of Xavi Hernandez as the coach of the Catalan team, Ousmane Dembele soon became the leader of FC Barcelona’s attacking line.
The 26-year-old had matured a lot more under Xavi, who was reportedly in awe with the Frenchman. And therefore, the club was pushing to extend his contract until 2028.
FC Barcelona was in a hurry to get the extension done, especially because the Frenchman had a release clause of around €50 million for the summer of 2023. However, the FC Barcelona fans had a sigh of relief as the release clause rose to more than $100 million when August 2023 arrived.
Ousmane Dembélé to PSG, here we go! Medical tests booked, official contract valid until June 2028 will be signed by Saturday 🚨🔴🔵🇫🇷 #PSG
‘Private’ clause activated on Monday for €50m.
Main part to Barcelona and also part to player side/his agent Moussa Sissoko.
Sealed soon. pic.twitter.com/g4LLItD8DA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2023
Yet, the story was about to have its final twist. It was later reported that Ousmane Dembele could request a private release clause of $54 million that could allow him to leave for any club in the world. French club Paris Saint Germain would soon come sniffing as Ousmane Dembele became a PSG player in August 2023.
FC Barcelona was incredibly supportive of an injury-prone Ousmane Dembele during his time at the Catalan club. The club was incredibly patient with the Frenchman during his early years in Spain when his performances weren’t very encouraging.
And that is why FC Barcelona was stunned to know that Ousmane Dembele had betrayed the club, just when the Frenchman had started regaining his fitness and form. It would be very interesting to see how FC Barcelona fans welcome their hated nemesis when he returns to the Catalan city on April 16, 2024.