The Man Behind the Athlete: Desire Doue’s Parents, Girlfriend, Ethnicity & More originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Désiré Doué has rapidly ascended to prominence in European football. At just 20 years old, the French midfielder has already achieved significant milestones, including a UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the French U23 team.
Desire Doue’s personal life
Born on June 3, 2005, in Angers, France, Doué began his football journey at Stade Rennais, joining their youth academy at the age of six. His potential was evident early on, and by 16, he was making appearances for Rennes’ senior team. His breakthrough came when he became the youngest French player to score in a European competition, netting a goal against Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa League at just 17 years old.
In the summer of 2024, Doué made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of $58 million, a deal that could rise to $70 million with performance-related bonuses. This transfer marked a significant investment by PSG in nurturing young French talent, signaling a shift towards a more youth-focused recruitment strategy.
The transfer to PSG
Doué’s impact at PSG was immediate. Initially starting as a rotational player under manager Luis Enrique, he quickly established himself as a key figure in the team’s attacking lineup. His versatility allowed him to operate as an attacking midfielder, winger, or second striker, adapting fluidly to various tactical setups.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, Doué featured in 60 matches across all competitions, contributing 16 goals and 15 assists, and played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble.
The pinnacle of his season came in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan, where Doué delivered a standout performance, scoring and providing an assist in PSG’s commanding 5–0 victory over Inter Milan. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award and cemented his status as a rising star in European football.
Désiré Doué becomes the first player to both score and assist in a Champions League final since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014 🇫🇷🥶 pic.twitter.com/nCxdC5akXK
— 433 (@433) May 31, 2025
France National Team and Neymar comparisons
Internationally, Doué represented France at various youth levels, including the U17 team that won the 2022 UEFA European Championship and the U23 team that secured a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He made his senior debut for the French national team in March 2025, further solidifying his reputation as one of France’s most exciting prospects. Despite comparisons to former PSG star Neymar, he remains focused on developing his own identity and contributing to his team’s success.
🇫🇷🪄 | What a Season from 𝐃𝐞́𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞́ 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐞́ (𝟏𝟗)
• 20 G/A for PSG
• France Senior NT Debut
• Shining in the UCL
𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃-𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑.
— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) April 1, 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
