Desire Doue: How 19-year-old French star steered Paris Saint-Germain to historic UEFA Champions League triumph
Published 02/06/2025 at 16:51 GMT+1
Desire Doue put on a performance for the ages in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 victory over Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League final. The forward scored two goals and set up another as PSG cruised to their first crown in style. After a sensational first season with the French giants, we felt the time was right to take a closer look at his journey to the top of European football.
Highlights: Rampant PSG hit Inter for five in Champions League final
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Desire Doue is the name on everybody's lips after his sensational performance in the UEFA Champions League final.
The prodigious winger scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Internazionale 5-0 in Munich to reach the pinnacle of European football for the first time in the club's history.
It was an incredible performance by anybody's standards, but for a 19-year-old approaching the end of his debut campaign in the Champions League, it was quite simply remarkable.
He now looks set for a one-of-a-kind career, and with that in mind, we thought we would have a closer look at his journey to the top.
The road through Rennes
Doue came out of the talent factory that is the French top-flight.
He followed in the footsteps of fellow PSG forward Ousmane Dembele and Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, working his way through Rennes' academy before making his professional debut in August 2022.
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It did not take long for him to catch the eye.
He became the first player born in 2005 to score a goal in one of Europe's top five leagues when he found the back of the net against Brest later that month.
He finished his first campaign in Rennes' first team with three goals and one assist in 26 appearances, an impressive return for such a young player.
Tottenham star Djed Spence was on loan at the French side that season, and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand revealed that the Spurs defender recognised Doue's talent immediately.
"I sat with Djed Spence, and I said, ‘Give me a young player’s name, up and coming, we might not have spoken about.’ This was a few months ago," said Ferdinand on TNT Sports’ Champions League Final Preview Show.
"I didn’t realise he [Spence] went on loan to Rennes a couple of years ago, and he said, ‘I was with Doue there…Rio, this is like Neymar reincarnated.'
"I didn’t realise he [Spence] went on loan to Rennes a couple of years ago, and he said, ‘I was with Doue there…Rio, this is like Neymar reincarnated.'
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Doue finishes off superb move as PSG go three clear
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"He’s got huge potential, and I don’t know where his ceiling is."
He followed up an excellent debut campaign with Rennes by adding more goals and assists to his game in his second season.
Doue finished 2023/24 with four goals and five assists in 31 Ligue 1 appearances, and that was enough to see him catch the eye of French giants PSG.
Becoming a champion of Europe
Doue garnered attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe last summer, but he eventually opted to join the Parisians.
He quickly established himself as a key player in Luis Enrique's hard-working front three.
His importance to the press at the Parc des Princes did not prevent him from contributing with goal contributions, though.
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PSG ‘in total control’ against Inter after Doue goal
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He finished the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season with six goals and eight assists to his name, but it was in the Champions League where his star shone brightest.
Doue accumulated three goals and three assists in 15 appearances ahead of the final, but he was not done yet.
Magic in Munich
Doue had already enjoyed an exciting first season in the French capital before his magical night in Munich, but his two goals and assist against Inter truly put the icing on the cake.
His first goal went in off a deflection, but his second capped off a free-flowing move that any team would be proud of.
"That is brilliant, absolutely brilliant, and it is capped off by this wonderfully brilliant young player," said TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher.
"The football from PSG was sublime, they are 3-0 up in the Champions League final, and they are going to make history tonight."
Ferdinand was equally impressed by Doue's second strike.
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"What a composed finish from a 19-year-old super kid," added the former Manchester United defender.
After a breakout first 12 months with PSG, there is no telling what Doue could achieve in his career.
One thing is for sure, if he can maintain this level of performance, we will be talking about him for years to come.
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