Dembele won the 2025 Golden Globe Award, and Paris announced his exclusive interview.
Host: Ottoman, thank you for your arrival, you are prepared for it. Congratulations on winning the Golden Globes.
We are now at the training base. These days, I have been working non-stop. Can we go back to the moment of the Golden Globes Awards? What was that experience for you?
Demberle: Very shocking.
I started here that day, and I trained at the training base until two or three o'clock in the afternoon, before I prepared for the ceremony. It was a wonderful night because when I arrived, the scene was almost all Paris Saint-Germain fans. As soon as we got out of the car, the scene was incredible, and the sound they created was so crazy. And it was great to go through it with all the PSG people present, especially with their family.
Host: Let's review the ceremony again, at least the moment you hear your name, and then ask you to talk about your feelings, let's watch a video.
Demberle: Where is this?
Host: Princes Park Stadium, we see that Effler also has pictures.
Demberle: There are also people at the Princes Park Stadium?
Before Ronaldinho announced, he glanced at me and smiled, and I felt it.
Host: Do you really feel it?
Demberle: Yes, I feel it.
Host: Did you capture that look? Because he announced it very quickly, right? When he pronounces your name.
What does it feel like when a person hears his name? What you see first, what comes to mind?
Demberle: It's blank, because I saw Gigi (Donaruma) coming to hug me. So, I feel extremely proud and very proud. From the moment he pronounced my name, it was an incredible moment. After that, like I said, Gigio hugged me, and Des, Lamin and Joao were there too, and then you went up the steps and were really happy.
Supporter: There is also a surprise element in this, because as we all know, you spend the whole day in suspense. This also means that we see your truest and purest emotions. Your reaction is very real, and we can feel it from your eyes and speech.
Emotionally, is there any moment that is particularly prominent to you?
Demberle: When I talk about my family, it was an incredible moment. As you said, I didn't get any news in advance, I tried to inquire, but no one was willing to tell me anything. So, to be honest, they did a good job of keeping confidentiality. It was a magical moment, and as soon as I stepped onto the stage, I saw everyone present, all my family, and my friends from Effler, it was really great.
Supporter: I guess, it is difficult to control emotions in that situation, right?
Demberle: Yes, it's not easy, and I'm actually very nervous, so it's not easy. But once you stand there, you can't help but release your emotions.
Host: We also want to see the response you caused in Effler - the small town of Normandy where you grew up - because there are also many people there, and they are also full of emotions.
Host: There are also fireworks.
Demberle: Yes, there is also the cameraman from the past, I don't know who he is.
Host: It is Guillaume Poisson.
Demberle: Yes, Guillaume, he told me that I should have only filmed there, but they asked him to go into the city because fireworks were going to be set off.
This is so special.
Host: How do you feel when you hear these (the reactions of the people of Eveler)?
Dembele: Only pride, only happiness, especially when I think of the people who grew up with me, it is really incredible. I am very happy to make them proud.
Host: Even after you have experienced so much, do you still feel closely connected with them? Obviously, you are now standing in the spotlight with some of the most resounding names in football, but do you still have that sense of connection?
Demberle: Yes, of course. Because like I said, I really know them, I grew up with them, and every time I have the chance to go back to Evre, I see them. They also often come to the Princes Stadium to watch Paris Saint-Germain because they have been loyal fans of the club for a long time. So, no, they are so happy for everything that happened to the club, especially for me.
Host: I guess you will go to see them, right?
Demberle: Yes, take the trophy and they are waiting for me.
Host: Your teammates are also deeply touched by your award, and we can feel that they are also very happy for you. You took the trophy back to the training base the next day and met them. You talked about the concept of collective, so to some extent, that's their award?
Demberle: Yes, that's right. Like we said, this is the team’s Golden Globes because it’s thanks to them that I can do well on the court and show myself in the best way. They did amazing jobs, and everyone improved their game, so did me. Like I said, you can't play without a good team. They are extraordinary to me.
Host: There is another person who is very happy for you, and he shows it before and after you win the award. Let's take a look.
Oh, it's so cute, very cute. There is also a lot of humility in your relationship. You once described a bond between you, like a father. How would you describe him? Why do you have such a special relationship?
Demberle: Well, like I said from the beginning, he trusts me. He was incredibly kind to me, and like I said, he had been singing that "Ottoman Golden Globe" for three months, and he sang it every time he saw me, so it was so happy. All the trust he has given me from the beginning and I try to reward it on the court.
Host: What did the coach change you, bringing you to this level of excellence, and ultimately letting you come here with this trophy today?
Demberle: All aspects, especially the mentality he brings to the team. Not just me, but the entire team. He advised everyone that he was an extraordinary coach, and he was an amazing person both tactical and outside football. Every day, he helps us, and most importantly, he suggests that we should not only be good players, but also be good people.
Host: Are there any things he said to you that impressed you?
Demberle: There is no specific sentence. He told me to be myself. He also said that it depends on me and the entire team. We must do our best on the court and off the court. This is the advice we keep in mind.
Host: Let's look forward to the future and see the new season after the Golden Globes. You now have the status of European champions and Golden Globe winners. Has this changed for you as a player?
Demberle: No, it hasn't changed at all. I will try to perform like every weekend, every game, every training session, and give 100%. Then be yourself and help the team, especially helping the team win trophies, because we have to continue writing history with the club. We have a young team and we have many years to go and we are still eager for trophys.
Host: In the years to come, when you think, do you personally feel that there are things in your heart that you absolutely want to keep? Of course there are aspects that can be developed, both in life and career, but about yourself, what are you absolutely want to keep?
Demberle: I don't know... on or off the court?
Host: It is OK on and off the court.
Demberle: On the court, to be honest, it is my way of playing, and I want to keep it going. How I play, how I express myself on the court. This is what I want to continue. Like I said, I will try to do well in every game and give 100%.
Host: What about your goals? Of course, it also includes personal and team goals, but first of all, team goals.
Dembele: Like last year, except for the Club World Cup final. Apart from that, we will work hard to replicate the last season.
Host: I like this word, copy and paste.
Demberle: Yes Copy and paste, to be honest, last year was a brilliant year.
Host: Since you have won everything, what are you dreaming about now? Do you still have personal ambitions?
Demberle: Of course, because like I said, we are competitors. You've had an amazing season to win everything, but in August it's all starting from scratch again. So we are still competitors, we still want to win, and once you have tasted the Champions League, Ligue 1 and other championships, you will want to win forever.
Host: Ottoman, you came here with this Golden Globe Award, and you are often regarded as the "People's Golden Globe Award". Many young people see themselves in you, many people, just like we see in the picture. Finally, can you give them some advice? I can imagine a young man in Effler or anywhere, saying to himself in the bedroom, "I want to have such a career, but it seems impossible, like a mountain." What advice would you give him?
Demberle: As I have always said, since my career started, I have been giving my all. You have to give 100%. You must believe in your dreams and most importantly, never give up. You must follow the advice of your elders, coaches, etc., and the most important thing is to have the mentality of never giving up and giving your all. That's all I do.
Host: Thank you very much, Ottoman. Thanks. You can bring it with you. (referring to the Golden Globes)
Dembele: I will.
