Paris Saint-Germain sensation Desire Doue has been named the 2025 Golden Boy, succeeding Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to claim one of football’s most prestigious youth awards. The 20-year-old French winger enjoyed a breakout campaign with PSG during the 2024-25 season, scoring a memorable brace in the Champions League final as the Parisian giants claimed European glory for the first time in their history.
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Desire Doue Dominates Golden Boy Vote
Desire Doue received the Golden Boy award from Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport at a glittering ceremony held in Turin, collecting an impressive 450 points out of a possible 500 votes. This commanding margin over his rivals demonstrated the widespread recognition of his exceptional contributions to PSG’s historic five-trophy haul during the 2024-25 season.
The Golden Boy award honors the best European player under the age of 21 competing in a European nation’s top flight. Desire Doue becomes the fourth French winner of the prestigious prize, following in the footsteps of Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappe. He joins an illustrious list of past winners that includes Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Erling Haaland, Pedri, and Jude Bellingham.
Stars from Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid were all overlooked for the PSG winger, with Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen and Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi among those finishing behind Desire Doue in the voting. While Lamine Yamal would have been a natural favorite after finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the Barcelona star was ineligible after winning the 2024 Golden Boy award.
Historic Champions League Final Performance
Desire Doue’s defining moment of the 2024-25 season came in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, where PSG secured their first-ever European crown with a dominant 5-0 victory. The young Frenchman scored twice in that historic triumph, with his performance capturing the attention of voters and propelling him to the forefront of the Golden Boy race.
Speaking about that unforgettable night, Desire Doue said it was one of the best days of his life and a dream come true. His second goal, which gave PSG a 3-0 lead, effectively ended the contest and cemented his place in the club’s folklore. The brace against Inter Milan showcased the qualities that have made Desire Doue one of European football’s most exciting young talents.
The PSG star’s ability to perform in the biggest matches has become a hallmark of his game. His composure, technical ability, and eye for goal were all on display in Turin, where he handled the pressure of the Champions League final with remarkable maturity for a player so young.
Remarkable Statistics for PSG
Desire Doue’s statistical output during the 2024-25 season underlined why he deserved the Golden Boy recognition. The 20-year-old made 61 appearances for PSG across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists. His versatility allowed him to operate effectively in various attacking positions, making him a crucial component of the team’s tactical structure.
Beyond his goal contributions, Desire Doue demonstrated exceptional technical proficiency with a pass completion rate of 86.4 percent. This figure highlighted his ability to maintain possession and contribute to PSG’s build-up play, not just provide end product in the final third. His development as a complete attacking player has been evident throughout the season.
In addition to his club performances, Desire Doue also earned recognition at international level, making five appearances for the France national team and scoring one goal. His international debut and subsequent call-ups demonstrated that his talents were being noticed beyond PSG, with the French Football Federation viewing him as part of their future plans.
| Desire Doue 2024-25 Season Statistics |
|---|
| Club: Paris Saint-Germain |
| Age: 20 years old |
| Appearances: 61 games |
| Goals: 16 |
| Assists: 16 |
| Pass Completion: 86.4% |
| France Caps: 5 |
| Market Value: €90 million |
| Contract Until: 2029 |
PSG’s Five-Trophy Haul
Desire Doue played an instrumental role in PSG’s unprecedented five-trophy collection during the 2024-25 season. The Parisian club secured the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Champions League, and European Super Cup, completing the most successful campaign in the club’s history.
This collective success provided the foundation for Desire Doue’s individual recognition. As the young star himself acknowledged, his Golden Boy award was fundamentally a product of team achievement. Without PSG winning matches, playing attractive football, and lifting trophies, he would not have received the accolade.
The club’s dominance extended beyond just team honors. At the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, PSG’s Ousmane Dembele was crowned the world’s best player, while manager Luis Enrique took home the award for Best Coach. Additionally, at the Golden Boy ceremony, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was voted best president and Luis Campos received recognition as best football executive.
Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
Upon receiving the Golden Boy award, Desire Doue delivered an emotional acceptance speech that revealed his humility and gratitude despite his remarkable achievements. The PSG star dedicated the trophy first to his family, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his journey to professional football.
Desire Doue then extended his thanks to his PSG teammates, coaching staff, management, and everyone working behind the scenes at the club. He reserved special mention for president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who believed in him and facilitated his move to Paris Saint-Germain. Without the club’s support structure, Desire Doue recognized he would not have been in a position to win the Golden Boy.
The young Frenchman expressed that it was a true honor to be mentioned alongside some of the greatest names in football history who have previously won the award. Players like Messi, Aguero, Haaland, and Mbappe have all had, or are having, incredible careers that inspire Desire Doue every day.
Dressing Room Celebrations
In the PSG dressing room, Desire Doue quickly established himself as a valued, respected, and cherished player. His teammates were quick to congratulate him on his Golden Boy triumph, with the young players his age – Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola, and Senny Mayulu – being particularly effusive in their praise.
Veteran defender Achraf Hakimi added his own unique touch to the celebrations by repeatedly calling Desire Doue “Golden Boy” as soon as he saw him arrive at the training center. The Moroccan international’s playful teasing demonstrated the strong camaraderie within the squad and the genuine happiness teammates felt for Desire Doue’s achievement.
However, Desire Doue was quick to deflect credit back to his teammates, insisting that the Golden Boy award was a recognition earned through collective effort. He emphasized that if PSG hadn’t won matches, played well, and lifted trophies, he wouldn’t have been in a position to receive individual honors.
Following in Legendary Footsteps
Desire Doue inherits the Golden Boy award from Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who won in 2024 and 2023 respectively. The French star becomes the 23rd winner in Golden Boy history, a lineage that includes many players who went on to achieve extraordinary success at the highest levels of football.
Looking at the list of previous winners provides context for the magnitude of Desire Doue’s achievement. Lionel Messi won in 2005 before becoming arguably the greatest player of all time. Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland have all delivered world-class careers after claiming the prize. The award has proven to be a reliable indicator of future stardom.
Desire Doue expressed his awareness of the symbolic weight carried by the Golden Boy trophy. The rising star hopes for a steady, lasting ascent, following in the footsteps of the legendary winners who have shaped the award’s history. His ambition is not just to win this one accolade, but to build a career worthy of those who preceded him.
Current Situation and Future Prospects
Despite currently being sidelined with a muscle injury, Desire Doue’s stock has never been higher. His market value is estimated at 90 million euros by Transfermarkt, reflecting both his current ability and enormous potential for further development. His contract with PSG runs until 2029, providing long-term security for both player and club.
The injury setback has not dampened Desire Doue’s ambitions or enthusiasm. He has stated his gratitude for becoming a professional footballer, describing it as every child’s dream. Having won important trophies already, his focus is now on winning even more and achieving every goal he has set for himself.
PSG is positioning itself as one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Desire Doue has expressed pride in being part of that project. With work and discipline, he believes he can reach every objective he has established. His grounded approach, combined with exceptional talent, suggests he has the mentality required for sustained success.
Desire Doue’s Golden Boy triumph represents more than just individual recognition. It symbolizes the culmination of PSG’s project to develop world-class talent and compete at the highest level. With his career still in its infancy, the football world eagerly anticipates what the young Frenchman will achieve next.
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FAQs
How old is Desire Doue?
Desire Doue is 20 years old. He won the 2025 Golden Boy award, which recognizes the best European player under the age of 21 competing in a European nation’s top flight.
What did Desire Doue achieve with PSG in 2024-25?
Desire Doue helped PSG win five trophies in the 2024-25 season: Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, Champions League, and European Super Cup. He scored twice in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
How many votes did Desire Doue receive for the Golden Boy?
Desire Doue dominated the Golden Boy voting, collecting 450 points out of a possible 500. This commanding margin demonstrated widespread recognition of his exceptional season with PSG.
Who were the previous French Golden Boy winners?
Desire Doue becomes the fourth French winner of the Golden Boy award, following Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, and Kylian Mbappe, who all won the prestigious prize before him.
What are Desire Doue’s statistics for the 2024-25 season?
Desire Doue made 61 appearances for PSG in 2024-25, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists across all competitions. He also made five appearances for France, scoring one goal for his national team.
