Luis Enrique believes Ousmane Dembele epitomises Paris Saint-Germain's defensive intensity and has lauded the forward for his contributions so far this season. 

Dembele has been the standout for PSG during their rebuild under Luis Enrique, helping them win the Champions League last year as well as scooping the Ballon d'Or.

Since the Spaniard arrived in the French capital in July 2023, no player has recorded more goal involvements among Ligue 1 players in all competitions than Dembele's 97. 

The Frenchman also scored three goals during their semi-final victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League and has now scored in three consecutive appearances in the competition for the Parisiens, a feat he last achieved in early 2025. 

But apart from his goals, Luis Enrique was keen to highlight the efforts Dembele puts in off the ball, which was highlighted during last year's maiden Champions League triumph against Inter in the final. 

"Ousmane's mentality is to be a leader. No coach of the youngsters cannot show what Dembele does when defending at any minute. This is important," Luis Enrique said.

"We have the mentality of highlighting the strikers when they score or assist, but at no time do we highlight what they do in defence.

"We must not forget that a player and a team, when they do not have the ball, have to defend. In basketball, it's the same. If not, it is impossible to win.

"Dembele shows all the time his individual quality with the ball and his ability to perform without the ball."

Dembele has been nursing a minor calf injury following the completion of the Ligue 1 season, though Luis Enrique expects him, along with Achraf Hakimi, to be available to face Arsenal in Budapest on May 30. 

The 29-year-old has netted seven goals in 12 appearances in UEFA's flagship competition in 2025-26, and PSG's star-studded front line are close to making history. 

Luis Enrique's side's 44 goals in the competition this season are the outright second-most scored by a team in a single edition of the Champions League, behind Barcelona's 45 in 1999-00, who were then managed by Louis van Gaal. 

"I don't remember that. It's true, because if we look at what we did in the past, it doesn't change the future," Luis Enrique said of that record. 

 "I believe that the future must be better than the past. These are statistics that show the level we have.

"And if you look at Arsenal and their stats, you can see how high they are. The level of both teams is very high.

"We are looking to score a lot of goals and win. We know that it will be very difficult. At the end of the game, there will be some sad fans and others happy."