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The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner is back in action. Paris Saint-Germain could receive a major lift ahead of their Champions League showdown with Bayer Leverkusen, as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is expected to make his long-awaited return from injury. Dembele, 28, has been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury picked up during international duty with France in early September. After spending time recovering at a specialist clinic in Qatar, the winger rejoined full training last week and looks set to feature in Tuesday’s match in Germany. The French star sat out PSG’s dramatic 3–3 draw with Strasbourg on Friday, but club images published over the weekend showed him training at full intensity. Injury Boost for Luis Enrique The news is a timely boost for Luis Enrique, whose side has battled through a string of fitness setbacks this season. Forwards Desire Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia both returned against Strasbourg, while Fabian Ruiz and João Neves remain unavailable. Reports in France suggest captain Marquinhos has also travelled with the squad to Germany. “I don’t know when the injured players will return,” Enrique said last week, emphasizing the club’s priority to “avoid taking risks with the players’ health.” Champions League Momentum PSG have made an impressive start to their Champions League title defence, beating Atalanta and Barcelona in their opening two fixtures. Leverkusen, meanwhile, are looking for their first win of the campaign after drawing with FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven. (with agency inputs)
