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Why Is Ousmane Dembele Not Playing Tonight for PSG vs Marseille?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Farah Ben Gamra | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 12:00 PM ET

Paris Saint-Germain is about to take on Marseille this evening in what is one of the biggest matches in all of French football, Le Classique.

This game has already had some very strange scenarios surrounding it: it was originally postponed due to poor weather conditions and was not played at its original time, but this will now be played on the same night as the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. With plenty of league positions on the line, as well as the rivalries with it, this is a game that everyone will want to watch.

Adding to that, PSG will be without Ousmane Dembélé, who will not play this evening due to an injury, but he is expected to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Ousmane Dembélé Injury Update

Dembélé suffered the injury during France’s qualifier against Ukraine, moments after coming onto the pitch as a substitute.

PSG’s medical staff identified a serious hamstring injury and estimated a recovery time of around six weeks, a timeline likely affected by the severity of the injury.

Video footage clearly indicated it happened as he left the pitch in considerable discomfort. News reports categorized the injury as a “severe” hamstring tear.

PSG has also expressed frustration regarding international breaks on two occasions: a rant by Dembélé against tackling but feeling he would not complete the match, and when he did and was later injured with teammate Désiré Doué, while abroad with France.

PSG has also expressed exasperation about the management of international breaks after Dembélé and teammate Désiré Doué suffered muscle injuries while called up for the national team.

The club wants more clarity on protocols regarding clubs and the national federation. For now, PSG’s official statement confirms that Dembélé was ruled out of the match tonight, and the recovery period is expected to exclude him from more than one match.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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