Desire Doue: PSG’s rising star and the 2025 Ballon d’Or Kopa Trophy candidate

As the football world gears up for the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony on September 22, 2025, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, one name shines brightest among the under-21 contenders for the Kopa Trophy: Desire Doue, the 19-year-old Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) midfielder, who joined from Stade Rennais for £42m in August 2024, has taken Europe by storm, earning praise for his dazzling performances in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. With a reported 31 goal involvements across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, Doue’s blend of technical brilliance, versatility, and clutch moments culminating in a brace during PSG’s Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan makes him the standout candidate for the Kopa Trophy. This piece is set to explore reasons why Doue deserves the award, also analyzing his performances, playing style, and records.

Desire Doue stellar 2024/25 season

Desire Doue’s 2024/25 campaign has been a masterclass in youthful exuberance and maturity beyond his years. Starting at Rennes, he notched 4 goals and 4 assists in 17 Ligue 1 games before his £42m move to PSG, where he exploded with 8 goals and 10 assists in 22 Ligue 1 matches. His Champions League impact was seismic, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists in 12 games, including a brace in PSG’s 5-0 final win over Inter Milan. Fans on social media praise his “technical quality” dominating the final, highlighting his “close control and match-winning shot power.

Doue’s semi-final heroics against Arsenal, and his efforts against Liverpool in the round of 16, underscored his big-game mentality. In Ligue 1, standout performances include a 2-goal, 5-key-pass display against AS Saint-Étienne, with 6/13 successful take-ons and 80% pass accuracy, per. His 1 goal, 4/5 take-ons, and 90% pass accuracy against Dunkerque, and a goal with 3/6 take-ons vs Angers, made him a winger to watch. These stats propelled PSG to a Ligue 1 title and their first Champions League trophy, with Doue’s 26 goal involvements (15goals, 16 assists) outshining peers like Lamine Yamal (35 involvements, but no Champions League final impact).

Internationally, Doue earned 8 caps for France U21s, scoring 3 goals, and debuted for the senior team in a 2-0 UEFA Nations League win over Italy in November 2024. His versatility, playing as a No. 10, left winger, or central midfielder made him a crucial part of PSG’s 59.2% average possession and 1.8 xG per game, according to Opta Analyst.

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Doue’s playing style

Doué’s playing style is a blend of talent and athleticism, drawing comparisons to a young Ronaldinho for his flair and Neymar for his dribbling. His 2.4 dribbles per 90 and 6/13 ground duels won per game showcase his ability to beat defenders in tight spaces, according to SofaScore. Fans on social media lauds his unique shooting technique, as seen in his strike against Inter Milan and a goal vs. Aston Villa. His 1.4 key passes per 90 and 100% successful crosses rank him among europe’s top playmakers.

In Luis Enrique’s 4-3-3, Doue thrives as a No. 10 or left-sided midfielder, interchanging with Dembele and Kvaratskhelia. His 84–90% pass accuracy and 100% long-ball success vs. Liverpool highlight his composure. Defensively, he contributes 2 tackles per 90, aligning with PSG’s 8.4 turnovers per game, according to Opta Analyst. His 1/2 aerial duels won add physicality, despite his 5’11” frame. Doue’s ability to disorganize teams with close control, creates space for PSG’s forwards, making him a strong threat.

Compared to Kopa rivals like Yamal, Ethan Nwaneri, and Pau Cubarsi, Doue’s versatility and final-third impact stand out. Yamal’s 35 involvements are inflated by Barcelona’s La Liga dominance, but his semi-final exit reduced his case. Nwaneri’s 4 goals and not enough playing time at Arsenal and Cubarsi’s defensive role at Barcelona lack Doue’s attacking output. Doue’s 26 involvements, with a Champions League final brace, give him the edge.

Doue’s 2024/25 records

Doue’s 2024/25 stats, are staggering for a 19-year-old. In the Ligue 1, he played 22 games, scoring 8 goals, while providing 10 assists, with 2.4 dribbles per 90, 1.6 key passes per 90, and 86% pass accuracy. In the Champions League, Doue had 5 goals, 4 assists, 2.0 dribbles per 90, a brace in the final, and 84% pass accuracy. His Champions League final performance: 2 goals, 2 key passes, 4/7 duels won outshone Dembele’s 2 assists. Doue’s 100% successful crosses and long balls, highlight his all-around game. These records, bolstered by PSG’s treble, make Doue a Kopa Trophy frontrunner.

Why Doue deserves the Kopa Trophy

Doue’s brace in the final, plus contributions against Aston Villa and Arsenal, outweigh Yamal’s semi-final exit and Nwaneri’s limited starts. His 9 Champions League involvements could rival senior Ballon d’Or contenders like Dembele.Doue’s ability to excel as a No. 10, winger, or midfielder, with 26 goal involvements, surpasses Cubarsí’s defensive role (0 goals, 2 assists) and Kobbie Mainoo’s 3 goals at Manchester United. His 1.6 key passes per 90 lead U23 midfielders. Scoring in high-stakes games: Champions League final, Arsenal, shows maturity, unlike Endrick’s underwhelming performances at Real Madrid, although injuries and limited game time were factors.

PSG’s Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, with Doue’s 26 involvements, outshines Barcelona’s La Liga win (Yamal) and Arsenal’s second place (Nwaneri). Leading U23 midfielders in xA, key passes, and duels, and his 2.4 dribbles per 90 outshine Mainoo (1.4) and Nwaneri (1.8). His 86% pass accuracy and 2 tackles per 90 add balance.

What could stand in Doue’s way

Yamal, the 2024 Kopa Trophy winner, remains a threat with 35 goal contributions. His La Liga title and El Clasico goals give him narrative appeal, but Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final loss reduces his chances. Nwaneri’s 4 league goals, limited game time and Cubarsi’s 45 starts for Barcelona are notable, but their lower attacking output (6 vs. Doue’s 31 involvements) limits their claims. Mainoo’s 3 goals in a struggling Manchester United side lack the glamour of Doue’s PSG exploits. Fans suggest Yamal’s superstardom could sway voters, but Doue’s final heroics gives him an advantage.

Conclusion

Desire Doue’s 2024/25 season: 26 goal contributions, and a Champions League final brace marks him as the Kopa Trophy’s rightful heir. His technicality, with 2.4 dribbles and defensive grit make him a complete midfielder. Outshining Yamal, Nwaneri, and Cubarsi with his versatility and clutch performances, Doue embodies the “decisive and impressive” criteria of the Ballon d’Or. As PSG celebrate their Champions League glory, Doué stands poised to claim the Kopa Trophy, heralding a new era for French football. The Theatre du Chatelet awaits its next star.