The TA interviewed Dembele, Fabian, and KK, discussing the Ballon d'Or, Champions League title, and other topics.

The TA interviewed three Paris Saint-Germain players: Dembele, Fabian Ruiz, and Kvalatschlia.

Dembele was last year's Ballon d'Or winner.

Fabian Ruiz has gone 50 games unbeaten against the World Cup champions, Spain.

Kvalatschlia was last season's UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player and the best player who failed to make an appearance at this summer's World Cup.

In a room overlooking Paris Saint-Germain's pristine training ground, the three superstars were being interviewed by The Athletic in three different languages, discussing, among other things, how much they longed to win their third UEFA Champions League title.

For the past two years, they have been one of the main architects of Paris Saint-Germain's dominance. Under Luis Enrique's flamboyant team, Paris Saint-Germain swept across Europe, establishing themselves as one of the top teams in modern football.

In just the past two years, Paris Saint-Germain has won nine trophies, finally becoming the dominant force in Europe after years of repeatedly missing out on championships.

The opponents have received an ominous warning: they want to win even more.

Ruiz said: "We hope to compete for the Champions League title again this year, to win it for the third time. Only Real Madrid has done that (in the Champions League era)."

"This is also our main goal this year—to stand there and fight to make history."

Paris Saint-Germain's last Champions League title was in May, when they defeated Arsenal in Budapest on penalties.

After conceding an early goal to Havertz, Paris Saint-Germain remained patient and gradually took control of the game.

Dembele explained: "It was a very tough final. We know Arsenal is a strong team, they were top of the league. We also know they've been very difficult to play against in recent years, so we knew it would be a tough game, especially after conceding the first goal and then having to fight back. You could see that their defense was really good. They've had almost the same group of players for the past four or five years."

"The best moment was when Gabriel unfortunately missed the penalty."

Ruiz also agreed that the match was very difficult for Paris Saint-Germain, especially after the team conceded a goal early on.

He said: "After that, they started to drop back, and we tried to attack, but it was difficult. We knew they were a very strong team, they would defend very compactly, and their players were very aggressive. Oss's goal came from a penalty, which calmed us down a bit."

"Then, as Oss said, the moment the referee blew the whistle and Gabriel missed the last penalty... It's a shame because it's the people who take the penalty who ultimately miss, but when you can celebrate a Champions League title, it's a very beautiful moment that will stay in all of our memories forever."

Before that final against Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich in the semi-finals. Their 5-4 victory in the first leg at the Parc des Princes was a thrilling and historic match.

In that match, both Kvalatekhria and Dembele scored twice, helping Paris Saint-Germain take a 5-2 lead, before Kompany's team pulled two goals back. The second leg saw a more cautious approach, ending in a 1-1 draw, with Dembele scoring again.

How does it feel to be a part of such a fascinating and dramatic contest?

Kvalatskhria replied with a smile, "It was a crazy match. This match will be forever etched in football history. It was an honor to play in such a game."

Following their latest Champions League victory, these three Paris Saint-Germain players had vastly different summers. Ruiz's Spain defeated Dembele's France, heading towards the World Cup title; while Kvalatshria missed the tournament because Georgia had not yet qualified.

How many games did he watch?

He said, "I only watch my teammates' games." He pointed to Ruiz and Dembele sitting on either side of him, "Sometimes I can't sleep because of these two."

In the United States, Dembele plays as France's right-wing attacker, alongside a formidable attacking line of players like Olise, Mbappe, Barcora, or Due. Before facing De la Fuente's Spain, they seemed unstoppable.

Dembele's highlight in this tournament was his hat-trick in the first half of the group stage. He scored one goal with his right foot and then scored two more after cutting inside to the left wing, turning the Norwegian defense upside down.

"I watched that game," Kvalatschria said, watching the goal replay on his Athletic laptop. "We see these things in Paris Saint-Germain games too. He always does these things; it's nothing new to us. That's Ousmane Dembélé."

How is he able to use his feet so freely?

Dembele humbly replied, "From a very young age, I've always preferred shooting with my right foot, but my left foot isn't bad either. It's been like this since I was born, and it's been like this since I started playing football. I've also spent a lot of time in training to improve my ability with both feet. I will try to maintain this state so that I can shoot with both my right and left feet."

Dembele smiled and turned to Ruiz, adding, "This is something players need to work on—especially Fabian Ruiz. He only has one left foot!"

Dembele said that his ability to shoot with both feet gives him more options on the field.

“But it’s not easy either. Sometimes I shoot with my right foot or my left foot and the ball flies into the stands,” he added. “But it is definitely easier. When you are comfortable with both feet, it is really hard for the opponent to predict you.”

When asked which foot Dembele had the better foot, Kvalachhria smiled and said, "I don't think even God knows."

Dembele's French team played with great artistry and attacking prowess at the World Cup, making it all the way to the semi-finals and scoring a total of 16 goals.

But in the semi-finals, Chelsea faced a formidable Spanish team, who successfully contained France's powerful attacking quartet.

After defeating France, Ruiz's Spain triumphed over Argentina in a one-sided final after 120 minutes. They conceded only one goal throughout the entire tournament.

Following the final, Argentine players and staff were embroiled in an unpleasant incident. Last month, FIFA imposed a total of 21-match bans on those involved in the conflict.

“This is a scene that everyone saw, and a scene that nobody wanted to see,” Ruiz said of the controversy. “There are many kids watching the game, and we shouldn’t use that as an example. You have to know how to win, and you also have to know how to lose. Nobody likes to lose, but it was one of the ugliest moments in the World Cup final.”

“We always try to set a good example for everyone, because everyone watches football, from the youngest to the oldest. It was a moment nobody liked, but I hope it’s forgotten and that everyone remembers our celebration, which was truly unforgettable.”

The World Cup final was Ruiz's 50th appearance for the Spanish national team, and he has yet to lose a match for the country. Since making his international debut in 2019, he has also won the 2023 UEFA Nations League and the 2024 European Championship.

“Os always jokes with me about that statistic,” he said, turning to Dembele. “I’ve played 50 national team games and never lost, which is incredible. It’s just a funny statistic, but the fewer we lose, the better.”

A post shared by Fabian Ruiz Peña ( @fabianruiz52 )

Ruiz hails from Los Palacios Villafranca, not far south of Seville. According to his hometown tradition, whenever he wins a title with the Spanish national team, his hometown sends him tomatoes equal to his weight—this has happened three times already.

After winning the World Cup, Ruiz received 85 kilograms of tomatoes, while his teammate Gave, also from Los Palacios Villafranca, received 68.5 kilograms.

“To be honest, that’s a lot of kilograms,” he said. “I couldn’t eat it all by myself. I shared it with family and friends. It’s a great recognition for us and for everyone in the village, because Los Paracios tomatoes are really famous. They’re delicious, and we’re very grateful to them for sending us tomatoes.”

The 30-year-old Ruiz exudes an air of authority, which is further accentuated by the approachable Kvalackhria and the relaxed Dembele, highlighting his veteran composure. During the interview, the three switched languages: Ruiz spoke Spanish, Kvalackhria spoke English, and Dembele spoke French.

Ruiz joined Paris Saint-Germain from Napoli in the summer of 2022. At the time, Qatari president Nasser Al-Khlaifi famously stated in an interview with Le Parisien that he no longer wanted "flashy, flashy things; the era of glitz and glamour is over," and the club's focus had shifted to developing homegrown talent.

The following year, Enrique arrived. Ruiz said the players responded well to his compatriot's philosophy and style of play. Last week, Ruiz and Enrique both renewed their contracts with Paris Saint-Germain, extending them to 2028 and 2030 respectively, with Ruiz also having a one-year extension option.

When asked about Ruiz's role in the team, Dembele replied, "He's an incredible player. You can win any title if you have him in your team. He's very special, very composed, and can control the tempo of the game. He's a very underrated player in football."

Kvalachhria nodded in agreement and praised Ruiz's football intelligence. "He's severely underrated because the way he understands football is just too incredible," he said. "I don't know who said that about Busquets—you can't see Busquets when you watch football, but you're watching football when you watch Busquets. It's the same with Fabi; you can't see him, but his understanding of football and his ability to control the game... his sense of rhythm is on a completely different level."

Based on their outstanding season performances, all three are contenders for this year's Ballon d'Or. The 30-man shortlist was announced earlier this week, and the awards ceremony will be held on October 26.

Dembele is the current Ballon d'Or winner. Has his life changed significantly since winning the award?

“I don’t think it really changed my life, although the moment was certainly incredible,” he said. “When you’re a kid, you dream of winning an individual award like that—though it wasn’t my initial goal or obsession. But when Ronaldinho handed me that trophy, it felt amazing. I was incredibly proud of myself, and proud of my family, and proud of everyone who had walked alongside me. They were all so happy for me.”

"That was a unique moment, and I will remember it for the rest of my life."

In an interview with France Football this week, Dembele said he believes the frontrunners for this year's award include Kvaratschria, Harry Kane, and Mbappe, but added, "I think the award will ultimately go to a Paris Saint-Germain player."

Given that 10 Paris Saint-Germain players are nominated for the Ballon d'Or, will the players pay more attention to this? Will it be discussed in the locker room?

“Sometimes,” Kvalatskhria replied. “When I first came here, we had everything, and Osman won the Ballon d'Or. I even told him that I came here to help him win the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League.” He laughed as he said this.

Does he imagine himself winning the award now?

“If you ask each player, we don’t really think about individual awards too much; everything comes down to the team’s success,” the 25-year-old said. “As for those who decide the Ballon d’Or, that’s their job.”

Kvalacchria is a classic winger with excellent dribbling skills who has impressed since joining Paris Saint-Germain in January 2025. Prior to that, he played a key role at Napoli, helping the club he still cherishes to win its first Serie A title in 33 years.

It was during his time playing in southern Italy that Kvalatschria began wearing his socks very low, which later became one of his trademarks.

“That was my first game in Napoli, and I started getting cramps after 35 minutes,” he explained. “Because it was my first game, I was probably a little nervous. I usually pull my socks up normally. I thought maybe pulling them down a bit would relieve the cramps. Then I scored a goal, and I thought maybe it was just good luck. I haven’t changed it since.”

Another famous move of his is his "ice in my veins" celebration. How did that come about?

“Basketball. Achraf and I played NBA games together, and one day I told him that if I scored, I would do this celebration, which comes from many NBA players,” he said. “I’ve kept it ever since.”

Among Kvalatechelia's highlights while wearing the Paris Saint-Germain jersey, the most outstanding goal was his brilliant solo run and goal against Aston Villa in last year's Champions League quarter-final.

Dembele, watching the clip of the goal, said: "I think this is his best goal for Paris Saint-Germain. I can't believe how he dribbled past that defender."

Kvalatskhria responded, "Like Os! Right foot, left foot."

Kvalatskhria makes a high-speed run 💨 #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/PBepm0WqR5

— UEFA Champions League ( @ChampionsLeague ) April 10, 2025

Another telling contribution was his dominant finish against Chelsea in last season's Champions League. He came off the bench and scored two goals, effectively sealing the victory. Dembele said, "Choose between that goal and the one against Aston Villa. He's scored a lot of great goals, especially in the Champions League."

Paris Saint-Germain has recently enjoyed a strong run of success against Premier League teams in European competitions, which explains their performances against Manchester City and Aston Villa in this season's Champions League. Is there a specific reason for this success?

“I don’t think there’s anything special about it. We respect all our opponents, but once we’re on the field, we want to control the game,” Kvalatschria explained.

Kvalatskhria is a proud Georgian whose national background is an important part of his personal identity, and whose skills were honed on Georgian cage football pitches.

Does being a national icon and a star player for Paris Saint-Germain bring extra pressure?

“I’m happy to be a role model for Georgian children, but of course there’s pressure, because every time you step onto the field, you should be their role model, because they’ll be watching your every move,” he said. “Coming from a small country and achieving success is a role model in itself. I want to tell them that anything is possible, and as long as you have a dream, you can achieve it.”

Dembele said of his Georgian teammate: "He's an incredible player, one of the best wingers in the world, and one of the best players. He had an incredible season last year, and he's very, very important to us. He has many nicknames; we call him 'Best' or 'Kvaradona' here."

Of all these nicknames, which one does Kvalatskhlia like the most?

“My favorite is Clavadona,” he said with a smile. “I’m really proud to have played for Napoli. It’s both an honor and a pressure when people call me that, because it’s really hard to bear when people compare you to one of the greatest footballers of all time. Nobody can compare to Maradona, but it’s still a pleasure.”

Kroos 🤯 pic.twitter.com/e69rOGKKay

— Paris Saint-Germain ( @PSG_espanol ) February 9, 2026

Despite being compared to one of the greatest players in the world, Kvalatschlia idolized a lesser-known star as a child: former Real Madrid midfielder Guti. "I liked the way he played," he said, "and then I fell in love with him."

In addition to his remarkable offensive capabilities, Fabian Ruiz also praised Kvalatschlia's defensive work.

“He’s an incredible player, especially in the opponent’s half. He can easily break through the defense and has a strong right-footed shot,” he said. “He understands football very well, which is a great help to our midfield because he knows where the space is and how to control the ball and stretch the attack. He’s also a winger who can help the team defensively, which is one of his strengths.”

As for Dembele, Ruiz described him as a key player for Paris Saint-Germain.

Three years ago, when Dembele joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona, he hoped to prove himself. His time at Barça was interrupted by injuries, and the club paid a base transfer fee of €105 million, plus add-ons that could reach up to €42 million.

Despite the ups and downs, the 29-year-old remains grateful for his time at Barcelona. "I had the opportunity to fulfill my childhood dream of playing for Barcelona and alongside players like Messi and Iniesta," he said.

But what truly ignited his career was his time in the French capital, especially the tactical adjustment following the December 2024 match against Lyon, where Enrique placed him in the false nine position. This change set his career on fire, with Dembele subsequently scoring 27 goals in just 22 appearances.

He never looked back after that.

“That’s why he won the Ballon d’Or last year, because he’s the kind of player who stands out, has outstanding abilities, can play with both feet, is fast, and can score goals,” Ruiz explained. “He also helped us a lot defensively, which is very important for our midfield.”

“I also want to mention his human side, which is invisible to outsiders and can only be felt by those of us who are with him every day. He is a wonderful person who makes you better, helps you, and brings joy to the locker room. I especially want to emphasize this point.”

When asked what skill he most wanted to learn from Dembele, Kvalacchria interjected: "His ability with both feet, the way he protects the ball and accelerates with it. I've never seen a player like that before I came here. His talent is on a completely different level."

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Dembele has completed 79 non-penalty shots in Ligue 1 with his left foot and 59 with his right. Among players in Europe's top five leagues who have completed at least 100 shots in recent times, only Manchester City's Semenio has a more balanced distribution of shots with both feet.

As the shot distribution chart below shows, this allows Dembele to finish from multiple angles, and his actual goal tally significantly exceeds expectations. This demonstrates his efficiency: he can adjust quickly to most scoring opportunities in the penalty area and is not significantly limited by his dominant foot.

Returning to the present, Paris Saint-Germain has had a slow start to the season in domestic competitions, managing only 2 points in the first three rounds of Ligue 1. Last month, they also lost the French Super Cup to Lens.

This interview took place the day after Paris Saint-Germain's 2-2 draw with Rennes, a match in which both Kvalateckhlia and Dembele were substituted at halftime. In the aftermath, Enrique warned his players in an interview relayed by Ligue 1 Plus: "If you keep dwelling on what you've already won, you'll never win anything else."

Paris Saint-Germain began their Champions League title defense with a 6-1 thrashing of Bratislava on Wednesday, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring twice and providing two assists, and Fabian Ruiz netting the final goal. After speaking with these three outstanding players, it was clear they had no intention of resting on their laurels.

They are still pursuing higher standards and are determined to continue increasing the number of trophies.

Just ask Fabian Ruiz.

"Why don't we dream of a third UEFA Champions League title, and win every possible trophy?"