The Golden Ball is back. Absent from the field since the injury to his left calf suffered against Bayern Munich on November 4 (1-2), Ousmane Dembélé is among the group selected by Luis Enrique to welcome Tottenham this Wednesday in the Champions League (9 p.m.).
The Paris Saint-Germain coach, who said he was “more attentive than usual” with his strike leader at a press conference the day before the match, confirmed on Tuesday that the 28-year-old striker would be “on the list of players called up”. On the other hand, he may not start the game, out of caution, handing over the offensive keys to the trio of Bradley Barcola – Senny Mayulu – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Having problems with his body since the start of the season, Dembele has started just four games in 2025-2026, including just one in the Champions League.
Note the presence of Martin James, a young 17-year-old goalkeeper called up by Luis Enrique to fill the absence of his usual third goalkeeper, Italy’s Renato Marin.
Nuno Mendes ready to continue?
For the rest of the group, there were no surprises. Starting his return to competition on Saturday against Le Havre in Ligue 1 (3-0), Nuno Mendes is logically present. Long-term injuries such as Achraf Hakimi (left ankle) and Désiré Doué (right thigh) are still resolved and continue to receive treatment.
After rotating his squad in the league, Luis Enrique will have to restart most of his executives this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, starting with Marquinhos, ready to play his 500th match in a Paris uniform.
The Brazil captain must reunite with Willian Pacho, his important partner who was also retained last weekend, against Spurs. Fabián Ruiz will likely be placed in midfield alongside his two favorite friends, Vitinha and João Neves.
