Dembele returns to PSG squad for Champions League clash against Leverkusen

Paris, Oct 20 (IANS) Ousmane Dembele is poised to make his return for Paris Saint-Germain after being named in the defending champions’ squad for their UEFA Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

The Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined since September 5 due to a hamstring injury but has been included in PSG’s 21-man travelling squad announced on Monday. Also making a return is centre-back Marquinhos, who is back in contention after nearly four weeks out with a thigh injury.

France forward Dembele concluded a remarkable season by winning the men's Ballon d'Or last month, football's most prestigious individual award, after spearheading Paris Saint-Germain to their first-ever Champions League victory.

"I really don't have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG," Dembele had said while hailing coach Luis Enrique as "like a father."

"It is an individual trophy, but it was really the collective that won it," he added. "The Ballon d'Or has not really been an objective for me in my career, but I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League.

The 28-year-old narrowly beat Barcelona's teenage talent Lamine Yamal to win the award at a glamorous ceremony in Paris, succeeding Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who was the previous year's recipient. Dembele's triumph follows a prolific season in which he scored 35 goals in all competitions, guiding PSG to a historic treble of the Champions League, French league, and domestic cup.

However, the forward is yet to play in the Champions League this season. PSG are third in the 36-team league after winning their first two games.

--IANS

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