Leboeuf argues that Mbappe's departure for Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 was the turning point that finally allowed Dembele to command centre stage on his own terms.

A career reborn

The numbers since Mbappe's exit speak for themselves. Dembele has scored 55 goals and registered 27 assists, driving PSG to continued dominance in Ligue 1 while also delivering back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles — the first in the club's history. The 29-year-old then claimed the Ballon d'Or, cementing his status as the finest player on the planet.

Leboeuf draws a direct parallel with another France legend who found his best form only once a superstar teammate had departed.