Following the words from Barcelona's director of football Mateu Alemany, Ousmane Dembele has sent a message of his own on his Instagram.
"Hello, everyone. For 4 years, I have only read things said about me without taking the trouble to justify myself. For 4 years, the gossip around me has been frequent.
"For 4 years, people have been speaking on my behalf, they lied shamefully with the sole purpose of harming me.
"For 4 years, I made the choice never to answer, never to justify myself. "Was it a mistake? Certainly. As of today, this is over.
"From today, I will answer sincerely and without giving in to any blackmail. I am 24 years old and like any man, I have faults, imperfections.
"I have gone through difficult moments, injuries, I have been affected by COVID. Without any training, the coach called on me and I always answered with my presence... without batting an eye.
"Answering with my presence is what I have always done because this is my PASSION.
"I am fully aware of my luck of being able to dedicate myself to the best job in the world.
"Besides, my message is clear. I forbid everyone to pretend that I am not involved in the sports project.
"I forbid anyone to assign me intentions that I never had. I forbid anyone to speak in my place, in the place of my agent in whom I have complete confidence.
"I have always given my all for my teammates as well as for all the supporters... and I will not stop now.
"I am not someone who cheats and, even more so, not someone who gives in to blackmail.
"Surely love is just a version of blackmail.
"As you know, there are negotiations. I let my agent take care of it, it is his job. My job is football, simply playing, sharing moments of joy with my teammates, with our supporters.
"Above all, let's focus on the essentials — WINNING.
"Take care of yourselves and your loved ones."
Earlier, Alemany revealed that Barca assumed that Dembele refused to continue at the club after months of negotiations. He urged the player to leave Camp Nou before the end of the month.
Ousmane has not been called up for the match against Athletic Bilbao.
