Luis Enrique has made clear that Ousmane Dembele's suggestion of a holiday until next March was a joke, according to VnExpress. The PSG coach responded humorously at his October 16 press conference before explaining that the forward had not been serious.
The exchange was not an announcement approving a prolonged absence. Enrique's initial playful response must be read alongside that clarification.
A joke after the Manchester City win
Dembele made the remark during a Canal+ interview following PSG's 4–2 Champions League victory over Manchester City. He described feeling refreshed after breaks before joking about being allowed time off until March.
Enrique praised the player's enthusiasm and said he listened to requests within reasonable limits. He also explained that players want to start every game, although that cannot happen for everyone.
His comments about rest and regular visits to the training centre concerned squad management and enjoyment of football, not a formally approved extended holiday.
Different playing-time patterns
VnExpress recorded 22 Ligue 1 appearances and eleven starts for Dembele last season, totalling 1,062 minutes. He contributed ten goals and seven assists in the league, alongside eight goals and two assists in the Champions League.
In the current early-season sample, he had four league appearances, three starts and 211 minutes. Across two Champions League starts, the report listed three goals and three assists in 140 minutes.
Those figures provide context for rotation across competitions. They do not prove that rest alone caused his form or establish an absence lasting into next year.