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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>World Cup winners played together at Camp Nou</li><li>Frenchman in line to win his own Golden Ball</li><li>Looked to sporting GOATs for inspiration</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi compared to Michael Jordan by former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele as PSG's Ballon d'Or favourite reveals 'The Last Dance' inspiration

<p>France international Dembele <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-barcelona-ousmane-dembele-delivers-verdict-psg-champions-league-tie-aston-villa/blt9b8ea08bf8bea159" target="_blank">played alongside fellow World Cup winner Messi for four years</a> at Camp Non between 2017 and 2021. He got to see first hand quite how special the Argentine GOAT is.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Dembele has sought to take inspiration from how Messi goes about his business, with the Frenchman now in a position himself where <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2025-power-rankings/bltd009fae5576d751f" target="_blank">a prestigious Golden Ball could be claimed</a> - having become a talismanic presence for Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.</p><div data-name="DAZN" class="affiliate-button-container theme-1"><div class="affiliate-button"><img height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2a657c326f3152f3/65709dfdfcc91a04075bd960/DAZN.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;" class="logo"><span class="affiliate-text">Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZN</span></div><a href="https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lfsPh/pubref:CWC" target="_blank" class="affiliate-button-link">Stream now</a></div>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Dembele has been discussing the sporting superstars that he looks up to, with Messi being joined in that category by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/like-seeing-michael-jordan-greatest-why-tickets-lionel-messi-show-inter-miami-remain-expensive/blt630bce8421fa19c0" target="_blank">basketball icon Jordan - who saw ‘The Last Dance’ documentary</a> detail how he led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Finals triumphs.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/France-Football/Article/Grand-recit-ousmane-dembele-etre-l-un-des-favoris-au-ballon-d-or-est-deja-une-grande-victoire/1569146 " target="_blank"><em>France Football</em></a>, Dembele said of his idols: "I didn't know Michael Jordan, but I saw The Last Dance, and it's incredible. To think that before there were no social networks and yet he managed to transcend generations. What he did with the Bulls is fantastic.</p><p>"And I grew up watching FC Barcelona <wbr><wbr>so, naturally, Leo Messi. For me, he's the greatest. He's a player who inspires me, he's unique! I'm very happy and proud to have played with him."</p>

WHAT OUSMANE DEMBELE SAID

<p>Messi continues to inspire millions around the world as he stars for MLS side Inter Miami, with Dembele potentially set to be reunited with his former Barcelona team-mate at the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/club-world-cup-2025-power-rankings/bltdb7dcc2b16d2b85f" target="_blank"> FIFA Club World Cup</a> as PSG try and add a global crown to their continental Champions League title.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Lionel Messi compared to Michael Jordan by former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele as PSG's Ballon d'Or favourite reveals 'The Last Dance' inspiration | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has been compared to NBA legend Michael Jordan by his former Barcelona team-mate and 2025 Ballon d&apos;Or favourite Ousmane Dembele.

Lionel Messi compared to Michael Jordan by former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele as PSG&apos;s Ballon d&apos;Or favourite reveals &apos;The Last Dance&apos; inspiration