Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
“I tried so hard, and got so far, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter.”
As American rock band Linkin Park belted out the chorus of their 2000 hit “In The End” on the cusp of the 2025 UEFA Champions League final in Munich, few could have imagined these iconic lyrics would epitomize Inter Milan’s 2024-25 season. For the second time in three years, Inter advanced to the biggest match in club soccer only to fail to score a goal, handing their opponent their first-ever Champions League title while continuing their own European drought dating to 2010. Additionally, for the first time in five years, Inter finished a season without a single trophy, having lost to Milan in the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, and missing out on the Scudetto to Napoli on the campaign’s final day.
From the moment Romanian referee István Kovács blew his whistle, it became abundantly clear Inter were no match for Paris Saint-Germain. Inter were clumsy and conservative in possession; PSG were methodical and daring. Inter were sluggish in regaining possession; PSG immediately enveloped their opponents in an asphyxiating counter-press. PSG’s starting lineup had an average age of 24.8; Inter’s was 30.2—a stark contrast apparent throughout the contest.
Doué’s Statement on Europe’s Biggest Stage
Of the 22 starters, only one was a teenager: Désiré Doué. Heading into the match, the main question was whether PSG manager Luis Enrique would start 22-year-old Bradley Barcola, who had featured prominently throughout PSG’s Champions League run, or Doué on the right side of the attack. Enrique chose Doué, who, just three days shy of his 20th birthday, delivered a performance for the ages.
PSG’s first sight at goal came in the 10th minute when Doué drifted into the left half-space, turned, and fired a bouncing shot into the hands of Yann Sommer. Les Parisiens continued knocking on the door, and Inter’s resistance broke in the 12th minute. Vitinha threaded a pass to Doué, whose deft turn positioned him goalward. Rather than forcing a shot through yellow shirts, Doué squared a pass to Achraf Hakimi, who tapped home into an empty net.
Hakimi declined to celebrate against Inter, whom he represented during the 2020-21 season before joining PSG. That would be PSG’s only mercy on the night. Moments later, PSG struck again: Ousmane Dembélé drew defenders before releasing Doué, whose chest control and low shot deflected off Inter left back Federico Dimarco into the net.
Throughout the match, Doué wreaked havoc on Dimarco and his wingback partner Denzel Dumfries, consistently drifting around the pitch and creating problems. He made three key passes, created two big chances, and completed three recoveries. Before halftime, Doué expertly crossed to Dembélé, who failed to convert. In the 63rd minute, Doué sealed PSG’s triumph, timing his run perfectly and firing past Sommer before making way for Barcola. Khvicha Kvaratshkelia and Senny Mayulu completed PSG’s emphatic 5-0 victory, as they became the second French club to lift Europe’s biggest trophy after Marseille in 1993. It was utter domination from start to finish, and yet another reminder of Doué’s exceptional talent.
Rising to Stardom and Beyond
Born in Angers, France, Doué spent 13 years at Rennes, becoming the youngest-ever French goalscorer in European competition. After impressing at the 2024 Summer Olympics—where he averaged a tournament-best 7.2 dribbles per match and won silver with France—Doué earned a move to PSG on Aug. 17, 2024, turning down Bayern Munich to sign a five-year contract. Despite lacking a full preseason to acclimate, Doué quickly emerged as integral to PSG under Luis Enrique as both winger and midfielder. Known for his quick shoulder drops, deceptive stepovers, and powerful shots, Doué elevated his game since moving from Brittany to Paris.
After scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in 76 appearances at Rennes, Doué finished the 2024-25 campaign with 15 goals and 16 assists in 54 appearances for PSG. Combining elusive dribbling skills, electrifying pace, and creativity beyond his years, Doué earned recognition as UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season and Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season.
When PSG needed him most, Doué consistently delivered. On Dec. 10, with PSG at risk of missing the Champions League knockout rounds after earning just one point from four matches, Doué scored in a critical 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. Three months later, he made his international debut against Croatia, completing six of 10 dribbles, winning nine of 18 ground duels, and converting in the penalty shootout as France advanced to the UEFA Nations League semifinals. When PSG trailed Aston Villa early in the Champions League quarterfinals, Doué leveled the score with a thunderous strike past World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez.
At just 19, Doué accomplished what neither Kylian Mbappé nor his idol Neymar Jr. could in 2020: score in a Champions League final for PSG. For just €50 million, Doué has proven exceptional value, excelling in multiple positions, making an impact both offensively and defensively, and leading PSG to three domestic trophies and a long-awaited Champions League title. This week, he has a chance to add an international trophy: France faces Spain in Stuttgart Thursday in the UEFA Nations League semifinal. A win would set up a final Sunday against either Germany or Portugal. The venue? Munich’s Allianz Arena, where Doué announced himself to the world by tearing apart Inter’s defense and confirming his status as one of Europe’s finest young talents.
Zach Lowy
