Ousmane Dembele Injury History: How Many Games Has He Missed for Barcelona?

By Anna Duncan

Ousmane Dembele, the talented French winger, has unfortunately been plagued by injuries throughout his career at Barcelona. These injuries have hampered his progress and limited his playing time for the Catalan giants. In this article, we will take a closer look at Dembele’s injury history and find out just how many games he has missed for Barcelona.

Early Injuries

Dembele’s injury woes began shortly after he joined Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2017. He suffered a hamstring injury in just his third appearance for the club, which resulted in him missing a significant portion of the season.

Over the next couple of years, Dembele continued to struggle with various muscular injuries, including thigh strains and calf problems. These recurring issues kept him on the sidelines for extended periods and prevented him from establishing himself as a regular starter for Barcelona.

The Longest Layoff

The most significant setback in Dembele’s Barcelona career came during the 2019-2020 season when he ruptured his hamstring tendon. This injury required surgery and ruled him out of action for an extended period.

Dembele missed a staggering 185 days due to this injury, which equates to approximately 30 matches across all competitions. It was undoubtedly a frustrating time for both the player and the club as they had high hopes for him.

Injury-Prone Nature

It is important to note that Dembele’s injury problems are not limited to his time at Barcelona. Even during his stint with Borussia Dortmund, he faced several fitness issues that kept him sidelined.

This recurring pattern of injuries has raised concerns about Dembele’s ability to stay fit consistently and fulfill his immense potential on the field.

Total Games Missed

Since joining Barcelona, Dembele has missed a total of 80 games across all competitions due to various injuries. These include domestic league matches, cup competitions, and UEFA Champions League fixtures.

While it is challenging to quantify the impact of these absences on the team’s performance, there is no denying that Barcelona would have hoped for a lot more from their record signing.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite his injury setbacks, Dembele has shown glimpses of his immense talent whenever he has been fit and available for selection. His electrifying pace, dribbling skills, and ability to score goals make him a valuable asset for any team.

The hope for both Barcelona and Dembele himself is that he can put his injury troubles behind him and enjoy an extended period of uninterrupted playing time. If he can stay fit, there is no doubt that he has the potential to become one of the world’s best footballers.

In Conclusion

Ousmane Dembele’s injury history at Barcelona has been a frustrating tale of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. The French winger has had to endure numerous setbacks due to various muscular injuries, resulting in a significant number of missed games.

However, there is still hope that Dembele can overcome these obstacles and establish himself as a key player for Barcelona. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain his fitness and fulfill the expectations placed upon him as one of the most promising talents in world football.