Ousmane Dembele was involved in a bizarre incident on Thursday night during Barcelona's Europa League clash with Napoli.
Barca stormed to a 4-2 victory in Naples in the second leg of their knockout round playoff match with Dembele a second half substitute for Xavi Hernandez's side.
Supporters vented their frustration at the Frenchman in the first leg of the encounter on his first appearance at the Camp Nou in 2022, after he rejected the offer of a new contract and was subsequently told to leave in the January transfer window.
However, his level of performance in that clash and subsequently from the start in the weekend win over Valencia may suggest that the tide of opinion is now turning again.
Yet he was involved in an unusual incident during the game in southern Italy, with video footage showing that he had forgotten to bring his kit with him to the bench – meaning that a substitution was delayed.
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Xavi turned round to Dembele and asked him to get ready to come on as a substitute, with Barca cruising to a comfortable victory and a host of changes planned.
Yet at this point, the Frenchman discovered that he did not have his top with him – prompting a frantic run back to the dressing room for the team assistant to fetch the kit.
All of this was highlighted by the commentators on Spanish TV's Movistar channel during the match – with a delay of five minutes for the forward to introduce himself into proceedings.
Dembele was part of a three-man substitution with Luuk De Jong and Nico Gonzalez both coming on in the same switches, with teams allowed five changes each within the match.
Pedri, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore were the players to come off – with Dembele directly replacing the latter on the right side of a three-man attack.
Barca’s blushes were somewhat saved by the fact that the game was not at a crucial stage due to their three-goal advantage, so the delay in the substitutions did not have any material impact on the game.
After claiming that Dembele had turned down their contract ultimatum, Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany last month stated that the winger "must leave the club as soon as possible."
"We started negotiating with Ousmane's agents some six months ago," a stern Alemany told club media. "We have been in constant contact with them since regarding the club's position, stating that the club wants the player to remain.
"He has been offered different deals, we have been on top of the situation. I believe it's been long enough for the player to decide where his future lies."
But Dembele stayed put amid links to Chelsea and Manchester United, even though he is out of contract at the Camp Nou on 30 June.
