Ousmane Dembélé and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia sat down for a joint interview with English media, discussing their chemistry, the Ballon d'Or, and their career paths. This is Part 1.

Presenter: Hello everyone. I'm Julian Laurens. Today we're at the Paris Saint-Germain training center, home of the French champions and, of course, back-to-back European champions. This is a special interview. We're speaking with both Ousmane Dembélé and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia together. Ousmane, I know your English is very good. Would it be alright if I spoke to you in French and to Kvaratskhelia in English?

Ousmane Dembélé: Yes, that's fine.

Great. Let's start. Do you remember the first time you saw Kvaratskhelia training? What was your first impression of Kvicha?

Ousmane Dembélé: During training? Let me think for a moment.

Or your first impression when you saw him.

Ousmane Dembélé: It was very cold. It was January, nearly the end of January. I can't really remember that training session. It was too cold. I was wearing a hat, a scarf, everything.

So his first impression of you was that it was very cold, he couldn't remember the training session, just that it was January and freezing. What was your first impression of Ousmane?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: When I was at Napoli, he started following me on social media. I thought he might have accidentally clicked follow. I wondered about it for a while. When I came here, I asked him, "Why are you following me?"

He told me, "Because I watched Napoli's games all the time, and after you started following me back, I showed my friends like, 'Look, he's following me!'" Now we're friends. When I first met him, I felt like he was smiling all the time and very positive.

As a player, what makes Kvaratskhelia special?

Ousmane Dembélé: First, his ability. He proved it at Napoli and since joining Paris Saint-Germain. Beyond that, the way he attacks, defends, and helps the entire team—frankly, the club made an excellent signing. We're lucky we didn't let him go to the Premier League. His style of play and mentality fit perfectly with Paris Saint-Germain. He's very important to us. He's very important to us. And he's only 25 years old. He can play for many more years.

Just like you.

Ousmane Dembélé: Yes, I'm getting old.

He's actually younger than you. So in your view, what makes Ousmane special as a player?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: I think it's his ability. The way he dribbles with both feet, the way he accelerates, and his connection with the ball. I think he's the most talented player I've ever seen. I love watching him play.

Ousmane Dembélé: Oh, look, I'm blushing. I can't take it. I don't like compliments.

I know you don't like compliments. What's it like playing with Kvaratskhelia? How would you describe it?

Ousmane Dembélé: We have incredible chemistry.

Incredible chemistry?

Ousmane Dembélé: Every time he gets the ball, something can happen. Every one-on-one situation, he usually takes on his defender. Like I said, he showcases his full abilities, especially last season. He played incredibly well in the Champions League. His performances were outstanding. That's why he was nominated for Player of the Year. And he's not just an attacker. He also helps the team defensively. In attack, he can score and assist. So I'd say he fits perfectly with Paris Saint-Germain right now.

What do you think about playing with Ousmane? How does it feel to play alongside him?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: I think we understand each other very well. For example, the assist I gave him in the game against Bayern—I dribbled forward, saw Ousmane, and knew what he would do. I knew which way he would run, so I sent him the ball. It's very easy to play with him because he understands the game so well. You can anticipate his next move. You just need to be in the right position, and he can send you the ball exactly where you need it. I think we play together very easily and understand each other very well.

Who do you think will win the Ballon d'Or?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: Him.

Him?

Ousmane Dembélé: Yes, seriously. He deserves it. Like I said, he played brilliantly last season. The things he's done are truly remarkable.

Ousmane just said you deserve the Ballon d'Or. If I ask you the same question, who do you think deserves it? And why?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: Obviously him. He's an incredible player, and the way he leads the team is important. His personality and everything he brings to the team on the pitch is amazing. He played brilliantly last season, just like the season he won the Ballon d'Or. So I think he deserves it, and that's why he won the award back then.

Ousmane Dembélé: Let's split the award, half and half.

You can split it, half and half.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: Sure, we really like each other, you know.

Presenter: This is Paul from Manchester.

Paul: Hello everyone.

Presenter: Which team do you support?

Paul: Have you heard of Oldham Athletic?

Ousmane Dembélé: Oldham Athletic?

Presenter: He plays Football Manager, so he knows all the clubs. Oldham is in League Two now, right?

Paul: Yes.

But you used to play in the Premier League.

Paul: Yes, we were in the Premier League in the early seasons.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: If you want to play, you can come play in the Georgian league.

Presenter: Finally, shall we pick a five-a-side football team? You two are already in it, and we need to pick three more. No goalkeepers, and only retired players who have won the Ballon d'Or. I have a list for you to look through.

Ousmane Dembélé: This is the list?

Yes.

Ousmane Dembélé: What about Messi and Ronaldo?

You can't pick them because they're still playing.

Ousmane Dembélé: Oh, I see.

Yes, only retired players.

Ousmane Dembélé: Otherwise I'd pick Messi.

Of course you'd pick him immediately.

Ousmane Dembélé: Of course. He has eight Ballon d'Ors.

I know who you'd pick, but you could also pick Beckenbauer if you wanted. I'm just listing players who retired relatively recently. So who would you want to play with? Who are your dream teammates?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: Ronaldinho.

A Paris Saint-Germain legend.

Ousmane Dembélé: Zinedine Zidane.

Ronaldo, the Brazilian Ronaldo.

Ousmane Dembélé: Yes. Marco van Basten.

Van Basten works too.

Ousmane Dembélé: How many Ballon d'Ors did van Basten win? Three, right?

Three.

Ousmane Dembélé: Lev Yashin.

Yashin too.

Ousmane Dembélé: Yes. And Platini. I even watched Kaka's games in 2005. It's too hard to choose.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: I can't remember how they played back then.

You can't remember?

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia: I only remember watching those games. I saw how Kaka played later on a podcast.

Ousmane Dembélé: I'd pick Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo.

Presenter: Okay, so you two, plus Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane. Your five-a-side team is complete.

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