How to Become Unstoppable!
- aaronptighe
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Ousmane Dembélé's hat-trick versus Norway in the World Cup was a clinical vision of what unstoppable looks like as an attacker. Scoring by attacking the full back on the outside and inside, executing driven and bend techniques with both feet. His rise is one of the best examples of how elite talent alone isn't enough. For years he was labelled "incredible but inconsistent." Today, he's spoken about as one of the world's most complete attackers because he combined his natural gifts with discipline, fitness, defensive work, and maturity.
What his Coach and Peers say about him.
Luis Enrique (PSG Manager)
"Ousmane Dembélé is the most influential football player in the world. He doesn't care about mistakes. He keeps going. He loves to try. He doesn't listen to criticism. He always generates good things."
Enrique has also made it clear that everyone must defend:
"I'm their coach, not their father or brother. I want the best from my players."
Dembélé himself explained why that changed him:
"With a coach like Luis Enrique, you know that if you don't defend, you're going to the bench."
And:
"I had lots of confidence from the coach. Luis Enrique gives me total freedom on the pitch."
Didier Deschamps (France Manager)
Deschamps has repeatedly defended Dembélé during periods of criticism, backing his importance to France and praising his adaptation and impact within the national team. Following World Cup performances he reaffirmed his belief in Dembélé's qualities and role in the team.
Andrés Iniesta
Former Barcelona captain Andrés Iniesta described Dembélé as a player capable of changing games through his creativity and unpredictability, praising his unique ability to unlock defences.
Thomas Tuchel
When coaching him at Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel described him as a player with enormous curiosity and motivation to learn—qualities that helped lay the foundation for his later success.
Dembélé's journey
Ages 7–13 — Learning in Évreux
Born in Vernon, France.
Started playing for local clubs in Évreux.
Was naturally two-footed.
Loved dribbling more than anything else.
Spent countless hours playing street football, where creativity mattered more than tactics.
Ages 13–18 — Rennes Academy
Unlike many stars, he wasn't considered the biggest or strongest.
Instead coaches noticed:
extraordinary acceleration
fearless 1-v-1 ability
creativity
confidence with either foot
Early coaches also admitted they had to reduce his tendency to over-dribble and teach him when to pass.
18 years old — Rennes first team
His breakthrough season was spectacular:
Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year
12 league goals
Europe suddenly noticed him
19 years old — Borussia Dortmund
Only one season...
Yet he produced:
Bundesliga Rookie of the Season
Bundesliga Team of the Season
DFB-Pokal winner
Match winner in the Cup Final
Many scouts believed he was becoming one of football's next superstars.
Age 20 — Barcelona
Barcelona paid over €100 million.
Instead of becoming the next Neymar, disaster struck.
Over several seasons he suffered:
repeated hamstring injuries
muscle tears
stop-start recoveries
criticism over professionalism
pressure from huge expectations
For several years many fans labelled him a disappointment despite flashes of brilliance.
The turning point
Joining PSG reunited him with a coach who demanded complete football.
Luis Enrique challenged him to become:
a defender without the ball
relentless presser
smarter mover
better finisher
team-first player
Instead of relying only on speed and dribbling, Dembélé became tactically complete.
The result:
He evolved from:
"Exciting winger" to "Complete match winner." His outstanding season saw him become PSG's attacking leader, help deliver major trophies, and establish himself among the world's elite.
Lessons from Dembélé on how to be 'Unstoppable'
Talent gets you noticed. Discipline keeps you there.
Criticism is fuel—not a destination.
The best players defend as hard as they attack.
Freedom comes after mastering responsibility.
Keep going after mistakes, the next play matters most.
Your biggest breakthrough often comes after your biggest setbacks.
His story isn't one of instant success. It's the story of a gifted young player who spent years honing his craft through repetition and practice, overcoming injuries, inconsistency, and criticism before becoming the complete footballer his coaches always believed he could be.
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
*What It Takes. Available on major retailers in hardcopy, eBook and audio.
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