Ousmane Dembélé is a practicing Muslim. He has openly spoken about his faith, donated to build a mosque in Mauritania, and is known to observe Islamic traditions such as Ramadan.
Quick Profile: Ousmane Dembélé
| Full Name | Masour Ousmane Dembélé |
| Date of Birth | 15 May 1997 |
| Birthplace | Vernon, Normandy, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Religion | Islam (Muslim) |
| Net Worth | $35 million (as of 2025) |
What religion is Ousmane Dembélé?
Ousmane Dembélé is a practicing Muslim. He was born into a devout Muslim family (his mother is of Mauritanian–Senegalese heritage and his father is Malian) and he identifies strongly with Islam. Dembélé has publicly celebrated Islamic holidays with his family and has spoken of taking pride in his cultural and religious roots. For example, after France’s World Cup win, he reportedly used some of his prize money to help build a mosque in his mother’s village, an act inspired by his faith.
Media reports and interviews have noted that he observes Ramadan and offers thanks to God in social media posts. To put it clearly, there is clear evidence in Dembélé’s public life, his remarks, his charitable actions and family background that his religion is Islam.
Early Life
Dembélé was born on 15 May 1997 in the town of Vernon in Normandy, France. He grew up in a football-loving family; his mother is from southern Mauritania (of Senegalese origin) and his father is from Mali. Showing exceptional talent at a young age, he began playing organized football with local youth clubs in Évreux, a nearby town. By his early teens he joined the Rennes youth academy, where he quickly made a name for himself with his speed and dribbling skills. He debuted for Rennes’s reserve team at just 17 and scored prolifically in the lower divisions. His breakout season came in 2015–16 with Rennes’s first team in Ligue 1, where he tallied 12 goals and earned a reputation as one of France’s most exciting young prospects. His rapid rise at Rennes drew interest from big clubs, setting the stage for a move to the European stage by the age of 19.
Career Highlights
Dembélé’s club career has been marked by big transfers and major trophies. In summer 2016, after just one full season as a pro, he signed for Borussia Dortmund in Germany. With Dortmund he continued his fast development, winning the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) in 2017 and earning Bundesliga Rookie of the Year honors. Just a few weeks later, in August 2017, Barcelona announced a then-world-record transfer fee for Dembélé (around €105 million), making him one of the most expensive players ever. At Barcelona he helped the team win two La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey cups over the next six years. Despite periods of injury and inconsistency, he was a key part of Barcelona’s lineup whenever healthy, known for his lightning pace and ability to use both feet effectively.
In 2023 Dembélé returned to France by signing with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His move to PSG rejuvenated his career. In the 2024–25 season he delivered a spectacular performance, scoring over 30 goals in all competitions and helping PSG secure their first UEFA Champions League title. That season PSG also won back-to-back Ligue 1 championships and domestic cups. Dembélé’s contributions earned him the 2025 Ballon d’Or as the world’s best male player.
Internationally, Dembélé has been part of the France national team since 2016. He was in the squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, playing as a substitute in the final. He also played in the UEFA Euro 2020 and helped France reach the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His career highlights include being one of only a handful of players to win a World Cup, a Champions League, and later the Ballon d’Or, joining an exclusive club of all-time greats.
Ousmane Dembélé Salary
Ousmane Dembélé is one of the wealthiest footballers in the world. His PSG contract (signed in 2023) reportedly pays him around €18 million per year before taxes, and the deal runs until 2028. Taking into account wages, bonuses, and lucrative sponsorships, his net worth is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars (around $35 million as of 2025).
Personal Life
Dembélé keeps his private life relatively low-key but a few things are known. He married his long-time partner, Rima Edbouche, of Moroccan descent, in a traditional ceremony in France in December 2021. The couple welcomed a daughter in September 2022. Dembélé has spoken about how becoming a father has made him more settled and focused. Interestingly, teammates and coaches have noted that since fatherhood he has matured and taken his career responsibilities more seriously. He was recognized by France for his World Cup win with the national team, in 2018 he was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour, an official national decoration.
Away from football, Dembélé has interests like any modern athlete. He is known to enjoy video games (especially Mario Kart), and he has mentioned being a fan of TV series such as Narcos. His goal celebrations are also a point of personality, he often mimics the “sleepy” pose made famous by NBA star Stephen Curry, highlighting his admiration for basketball. Despite occasional headlines (like a brief 2019 controversy over a missed drug test that was later cleared up, and a moment in 2019 when he caused a stir by joking insensitively about others in a hotel), Dembélé is generally seen as professional off the field. Importantly, he is open about his Islamic faith in personal interviews, thanking Allah in speeches and making religious gestures during games.
