Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has asked fans to stop booing Ousmane Dembele. His request came after the forward was met with jeers at Camp Nou during Sunday's game against Atletico Madrid.
The Frenchman returned to the Barcelona squad after a three-week absence caused by his contract dispute with the club. He has not featured for the side since their 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup on January 12th.
The 24-year-old was named on the bench for Sunday's game and remained an unused substitute until the final whistle. Nevertheless, the home crowd callously heckled him when his name was called out by the public announcer before the match.
During the post-match conference, Xavi expressed his disappointment at the fans' attitude towards Dembele and asked them to show him more support in the future:
"The fans were 10 of 10 and the support was brilliant throughout the game. But I would like them to support Ousmane, too. I'd ask them to stop booing him. The idea was for him to come on, but I decided on other things because of the red card and the way the game went."
Barcelona ended up beating Atletico Madrid 4-2 after a scorching contest, thanks to goals from Jordi Alba, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Dani Alves.
The victory takes the Blaugrana to fourth place in the La Liga standings, two points ahead of Los Rojiblancos.
Ousmane Dembele's situation at Barcelona
Ousmane Dembele is currently in the final year of his contract with Barcelona. However, he is yet to sign an extension. This means he could possibly leave the club at the end of the campaign.
Due to the player's reluctance to pen a new deal, the Catalan giants tried to sell him in the final days of the January transfer window. However, a move didn't materialize, and he is now expected to leave the club in the summer as a free agent.
Dembele has made 11 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
Juubelsu
0
Dembele is just way too ungrateful. How many games has he missed due to injuries and the club has supported him throughout!!! But he can’t think of how patient the club has been cause he would have been sold a long time. And why can’t he take a pay cut and renew rather asking for huge wages
Bayla30
0
I didn't really understand what you typed,but how can you ask for increase in salary,when your not doing a proper job.
Please find me a more exciting player in Barça to watch
Bayla30
0
I didn't really understand what you typed,but how can you ask for increase in salary,when your not doing a proper job.
What u mean a proper job barca was falling apart as a club. him and Messi were the only 2 player capable of making a difference yes he suffered injuries it happens to everyone.. Not many got talent like what he got..
Rehekmnopt
1
Dembele is a fantastic player, he immensely contributed to the club as well, but the series of injuries lower his prestige in recent times. therefore, he shouldn't have requested/demanded more relative to salary. let him take into consideration his numerious absentees.
Trippyfc
0
So what the day you ask you boss for a increase or the day your work ask for increase you going to fire him
I didn't really understand what you typed,but how can you ask for increase in salary,when your not doing a proper job.
zabdkmotu
1
Leave players alone please. Let management deal with player issues
Bayla30
0
It's the fact he asked for an increase in salary,while contributing nothing so far to Barcelona and also not agreeing to be sold since he doesn't want a pay cut.
So what the day you ask you boss for a increase or the day your work ask for increase you going to fire him
Bayla30
0
Adams today, and tomorrow you will boo him too
So flipping true
Trippyfc
0
To be honest after neymar Ronaldo and Messi..dembele is the another player with a lot of criticism just because of his injury..I mean he doesn’t wish himself like that why people are hating him frr🤦♂️
It's the fact he asked for an increase in salary,while contributing nothing so far to Barcelona and also not agreeing to be sold since he doesn't want a pay cut.
betadityz
2
Adams today, and tomorrow you will boo him too
viwadeikpz
0
Dembele doesn't add anything to the team. He should look at what Adama is doing
He’s the nest player in barcelona now per his ability his ability I don’t care how long he has play
Basito2401
7
To be honest after neymar Ronaldo and Messi..dembele is the another player with a lot of criticism just because of his injury..I mean he doesn’t wish himself like that why people are hating him frr🤦♂️
Hoccdknruy
2
Dembele doesn't add anything to the team. He should look at what Adama is doing