Desire Doue leads young PSG squad towards Champions League glory

Paris Saint-Germain’s teenage sensation Desire Doue is lighting up Europe as the club’s youthful rebuild thrives in the Champions League.

Desire Doue controls the ball during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at Campus PSG in Paris, France, on April 13, 2025. Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Paris Saint-Germain may have undergone a major transformation in the post-Mbappe era, but thanks to the rise of emerging stars like Desire Doue, they have found a fresh, fearless identity. The 19-year-old winger has become the face of a new-look PSG, playing a pivotal role in their 2025 Champions League campaign. With the club’s average age the lowest among the quarter-finalists, the spotlight has shifted from household names to rising talents—and none shine brighter than Doue.

Desire Doue’s PSG Champions League performances this season have captivated fans and analysts alike. His stunning equaliser against Aston Villa in the quarter-final first leg was a moment of pure magic, embodying the kind of flair and dynamism that once defined Neymar’s best days at the Parc des Princes. PSG eventually triumphed 3-1 in that match, and Doue’s contribution was central—not just in scoring, but in setting the tone for the team’s new attacking identity.

From Rennes prospect to PSG sensation

Signed from Rennes last summer for a reported €50 million, Doue arrived in Paris with potential but little fanfare. He had already clocked up 76 appearances for Rennes by the age of 18 and was a standout for France’s Olympic team under Thierry Henry. Still, expectations were tempered. Breaking into a top-tier side like PSG, especially with a squad in transition, is no small feat.

Yet Doue has not only broken in—he’s thrived. After starting just four matches in the first four months of the season, including a 2-0 Champions League loss to Arsenal, the teenager has exploded into form since mid-December. His tally now stands at 12 goals and 11 assists in 28 appearances since scoring his first PSG goal in a 3-0 win at Salzburg in December.

That goal, in hindsight, was a turning point—not just for the player, but for the team. PSG’s form has been electric ever since, losing only once in 30 games. Even that solitary defeat, a 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the round of 16, was overturned in dramatic fashion, with PSG winning the tie on penalties—Doue, cool as ever, converting the decisive spot-kick.

A new PSG built on youth and hunger

Paris Saint-Germain’s youth revolution isn’t limited to Desire Doue. He is one of six players aged 22 or younger who have left their mark on the Champions League campaign. Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Lucas Beraldo have all stepped up under Luis Enrique, making PSG not just the youngest team left in the tournament, but arguably the most exciting.

Their average age of 23.3 years underlines a clear shift in club strategy. After years of marquee signings—Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe included—PSG are building from the ground up. Experience remains in the form of captain Marquinhos, now 30, but the identity of this team belongs to the next generation.

Luis Enrique, who took the reins this season, has fully embraced that vision. "Any player who is prepared to take on opponents in the final third for me is marvellous," he said. "Desire Doue is a specialist at going one against one. It's very difficult to play in tight spaces but he has that capacity."

Winning over teammates, fans, and France

Desire Doue’s rise has not gone unnoticed in the national setup either. He made his senior France debut last month, a reward for months of consistency and brilliance. Didier Deschamps, long known for his cautious approach to integrating young talent, has clearly been swayed by the winger’s fearless style.

"He is a young player full of talent and I think he will go very far," said teammate Ousmane Dembele. "He is really mature for his age, but what impresses me the most is just how professional he is."

That maturity is evident in how Doue has handled the pressure. Speaking to TF1, he said, "I am really pleased with how much game time I am getting and I am really happy at Paris Saint-Germain." There is no trace of ego—only hunger and gratitude.

And perhaps that humility is key to his rapid ascent. In a club where the dressing room was once filled with larger-than-life personalities, Doue’s grounded demeanor has made him a favorite among both veterans and fellow rising stars.

The road to Munich and beyond

With the second leg against Aston Villa looming, PSG are in pole position to reach their second consecutive Champions League semi-final. This time, they’ll hope to go one better—and Doue could be the difference-maker.

Much has changed since the days of chasing glory with global superstars. Now, PSG are led by a player whose very name—Desire—speaks to the hunger and ambition driving this team forward.

Should they reach the final in Munich, it would be the culmination of a bold gamble: trusting youth, trusting a new system, and trusting players like Doue to deliver on the biggest stage. And if recent performances are any indicator, that trust has been well placed.

A message to Europe

Javier Pastore, one of PSG’s original modern-era icons, summed it up best. "PSG have the young players who in the next five or 10 years are going to be the best in world football," he told AFP. The warning to Europe is clear: this is not a club in decline—it’s a club reborn.

And at the heart of it all is Desire Doue. With his pace, his flair, his fearless approach, and his growing leadership, he is more than just PSG’s present—he is their future.

As the Champions League quarter-finals continue, one thing is certain: Desire Doue’s PSG Champions League journey is only just beginning.