'Given us all a slap in the face!' - Ex-Barcelona chief lifts lid on Ousmane Dembele's exit for PSG and says Ballon d'Or hopeful has 'taught us a lesson'

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Ex-Barcelona director Robert Fernandez says Ousmane Dembele's performances for Paris Saint-Germain are like a "slap in the face" of the Spanish club.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Dembele has been regarded as one of the world's best players this season, winning the top scorer prize for Ligue 1 champions PSG and playing a key role in their journey to the Champions League final. With 33 goals and 48 assists in all competitions, he is seen as the current frontrunner to win the Ballon d'Or.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

His form for PSG marks a significant change following his underwhelming spell at Barcelona. Dembele arrived from Borussia Dortmund as one of the most promising players in Europe in 2017, but his six-year spell was plagued by injuries and reports of an unprofessional attitude, ending in a move back to France two years ago. However, former technical secretary Fernandez has explained what really happened with Dembele and spoke of his delight at seeing him thrive.

WHAT FERNANDEZ SAID

"No one was patient. Not the press, not the club, and he was too young to understand many things," he told Mundo Deportivo. "That's the reality. But he's taught us all a lesson. He already taught it to us in his last year at Barca. Everything that was said - that he wasn't a good professional, that he went out at night, that he drank - wasn't true.

"After two very serious injuries, in a very difficult environment, he showed that he was a great professional. Another player, at his age, would have thrown in the towel. But he didn't. He kept working, recovered, played very well with Xavi, and was highly rated by him.

"He's doing very well now. He's given us all a slap in the face. And I'm very happy that things are going well for him. He's a very good kid, and he's been a great professional. Overcoming two serious injuries and coming out of such a difficult situation isn't something that just anyone can do. He's 28 years old, a magnificent age."

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WHAT NEXT FOR DEMBELE?

Dembele will be out to claim the Champions League crown for the first time in his career when they face Inter on Saturday. Doing so would surely boost his hopes of winning the Ballon d'Or.