 |
Desire Doue has 15 goals and 9 assists in all competitions in the 2024/25 season. |
Last October, Doue quietly left the Emirates Stadium after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. At that time, many began to wonder: was this really the next gem of French football? Had PSG been too hasty in spending £43 million on an 18-year-old player who had yet to prove himself beyond a few flashes at Rennes?
From failure to sublimation
Eight months later, those questions were answered – and they came with a thunderous roar in Munich. In the Champions League final, where PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0, Doue was the star of the show. Two goals, an assist and a host of mesmerising touches. The statement couldn’t have been clearer: “Kylian Mbappe is gone, but Paris still has magic.”
Doue was not an immediate success. He was overlooked, substituted early, and almost forgotten among PSG's star players. But coach Luis Enrique - a man who understands that talent needs time to blossom - waited patiently.
And then game after game, Doue shone. Against Man City, he was brilliant. At Anfield, the teenager came off the bench to score the decisive penalty that sent PSG into the quarter-finals. Against Aston Villa, Doue scored a stunning equaliser. And the pinnacle came in Munich - where the young Frenchman not only scored, but also outshone everyone else.
At 19 years and 362 days, Doue became the youngest player to score a brace in a Champions League final, surpassing the legendary Eusebio. And more than a record, it was the performance of a leader, one who was not intimidated by the big stage.
 |
Doue is powerful, explosive, but doesn't play on pure instinct. |
Doue is powerful and explosive, but he doesn’t play purely on instinct. He understands the game, knows his position, and has the ability to read situations like a veteran. His physical prowess has earned him the nickname “a rugby player,” but it’s his composure in front of goal that makes him special.
Doue's rise has not been accidental. Behind him is a football-savvy family, a devoted father, and a PSG environment that is increasingly prioritizing stability and strategy over fanfare.
Real value
The most valuable thing about Doue is not the goals or the highlights. It is his humility. After the loss to Arsenal, his family admitted: "He is not ready". No blame, no illusions, just a realistic view. And that is what helps Doue rise.
Unlike many young players who can easily “evaporate” after a successful season, Doue maintained his focus and professionalism. He worked hard in the gym, learned from his seniors, and listened to his coach. All of these things cannot be seen in the highlights, but they are the foundation of a top career.
 |
Coach Didier Deschamps cannot ignore Doue in the French team list. |
Maybe a few months ago, Warren Zaïre-Emery was considered the new face of PSG. But now, the name mentioned most is Doue. Not noisy, not colorful, but explosive at the right time.
Coach Didier Deschamps cannot leave Doue out of the France squad - because in the Champions League, this player has proven his true class. And if he continues to maintain that humility and passion, Doue could be not only the future of PSG, but also the new hope of French football.
PSG have lost a superstar. But they are creating a successor. And perhaps, in a few years, the whole world will remember the name: Desiré Doue.
Source: https://znews.vn/voi-doue-psg-khong-can-tim-nguoi-thay-the-mbappe-nua-post1557472.html
Comment (0)