As Dembele wept on the Ballon d'Or stage, his mother, Fatimata, stood by his side. However, behind the scenes, another key figure in the PSG star's journey remained largely out of the public eye: his wife, Rima Edbouche.
 |
Ousmane Dembele (left) and his mother Fatimata on stage at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony at the Chatelet Theater, Paris, France on 22/9. Photo: EPA |
Ousmane Dembele (left) and his mother Fatimata on stage at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony at the Chatelet Theater, Paris, France on 22/9. Photo: EPA
Joining Barca for 126 million USD in the summer of 2017, Dembele was expected to replace Neymar. But during his 6 years at Camp Nou, the French forward spent 784 days sidelined due to injuries, including 14 hamstring tears, and failed to meet expectations on the field.
He was criticized for excessive gaming, an unhealthy diet, frequent tardiness, and club fines. In 2021, Dembele faced further scrutiny over a video from 2019, in which he and Antoine Griezmann were accused of making derogatory remarks about Asian technicians. The French star later issued an apology.
 |
Ousmane Dembele and Rima Edbouche married in 2021. |
The turning point came after Dembele's 2021 marriage to Rima Edbouche, a Moroccan-born former TikTok star. Before deleting her account, Rima had over 300,000 followers, known for her modest fashion videos and lifestyle rooted in Islamic faith.
Rima maintains a private life, never publicly revealing her face on social media. Even after marrying a football star, she continues to prioritize her privacy. Following their marriage, Rima deactivated her TikTok, cleared her Instagram, and now only shares occasional glimpses of her travels and fashion, never revealing images of her family.
His wife's reserved lifestyle and strong religious beliefs influenced Dembele's transformation. He gradually abandoned his unhealthy habits, focused on nutrition, hired a personal trainer, and became a devoted husband and father.
 |
Ousmane Dembele with his wife Rima Edbouche and their daughter celebrating the 2024-2025 Champions League title. Photo: UEFA |
Ousmane Dembele with his wife Rima Edbouche and their daughter celebrating the 2024-2025 Champions League title. Photo: UEFA
In 2022, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter affectionately nicknamed "The Catalan Girl" because she was born in Barcelona. Her arrival further fueled Dembele's maturity and sense of responsibility.
Despite rarely appearing in public, Rima's influence is undeniable. After the Paris awards ceremony, she posted a single photo of her husband holding the Ballon d'Or with the caption: "Proud".
"Without fanfare or ostentation, Rima remains a figure of fascination. From a social media star, she chose to step back, becoming a pillar of support for her husband and safeguarding her family's privacy," wrote British newspaper Sport Mail.
 |
Rima Edbouche posts a photo congratulating her husband on winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or. |
Alongside Rima, Dembele's family, especially his mother Fatimata, played a vital role. She represented him when he signed his first professional contract with Rennes and facilitated his move to Dortmund in 2016.
Dembele's father, Ousmane Sr, worked various jobs to support the family after immigrating to France. His uncle, Badou Sambague, a former professional footballer, introduced Dembele to the sport at a young age.
These sacrifices helped the Vernon-born player, born in 1997, pursue his football dream. The pinnacle arrived at the Chatelet Theater in Paris on 22/9/2025, when Dembele won the Ballon d'Or, becoming the sixth French player to receive this prestigious award.
Hong Duy compiled
