The 2024/25 season concluded in spectacular fashion as Paris Saint-Germain secured the UEFA Champions League title with a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan. The match will be remembered for the emergence of 19-year-old French winger Désiré Doué, who delivered a breathtaking performance with two goals and an assist. Doué’s rise to stardom has been rapid since his €50 million move from Rennes last summer. Once a relatively unheralded prospect, he has now cemented himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents, drawing comparisons to past PSG academy stars like Ousmane Dembélé and Eduardo Camavinga.
His versatility—capable of playing on either wing or centrally—has made him indispensable for PSG. Doué’s flair, creativity, and composure in big moments were on full display in the Champions League final, solidifying his status as a future superstar. The Frenchman’s heroics have also intensified the race for the 2025 Golden Boy award. Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí had been the frontrunner for much of the season, but Doué’s late surge has thrown the competition wide open. Cubarsí, a composed and consistent defender for Barça, now faces an uphill battle to secure the prestigious accolade.
Doué’s Champions League-winning performance may have swayed voters in his favor, putting pressure on the young Spaniard to respond. Barcelona has a storied history with the Golden Boy award, having produced winners like Lionel Messi, Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal. A victory for Cubarsí would continue that legacy, but Doué’s recent exploits have made the race too close to call. With the voting period still open, Cubarsí has a slim chance to regain momentum. However, Doué’s unforgettable night in the final may have already tipped the scales in his favor, marking another milestone in PSG’s growing influence in European football.
As the football world reflects on an incredible season, one thing is certain: Désiré Doué has arrived—and his brilliance has left Pau Cubarsí and Barcelona with a golden dilemma.