Ballon d'Or contender Dembele misses PSG's Club World Cup opener
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele was not in the starting lineup for the Champions League winners' opening match in the Club World Cup against Atletico Madrid.
Dembele also wasn't listed among the substitutes Sunday at the Rose Bowl for PSG's first match since trouncing Inter Milan 5-0 two weeks ago to win its first Champions League title.
The 28-year-old Dembele is a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or after his outstanding season for PSG, but he reportedly injured his left quadriceps while playing for France against Spain on June 6.
Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos replaced Dembele in PSG's starting lineup against Atletico. Coach Luis Enrique otherwise used the same starting lineup from his club's blowout victory over Inter on May 31 in Munich.
Dembele produced 33 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for PSG’s treble winners this season.
PSG and Atletico are in a Club World Cup group with Brazil's Botafogo and Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders.