Turin, Italy – November 4, 2025
French midfielder Désiré Doué has been named the 2025 Golden Boy, the prestigious award presented annually by Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport to the best football player aged 21 or under competing in a European top-flight league. The 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star received the honor in a ceremony held in Turin, despite currently being sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during international duty.
Doué, who joined PSG from Stade Rennais in a €50 million transfer last summer, beat out a highly competitive field that included Juventus defender Dean Huijsen, Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí, Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, and River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono. The award caps a remarkable 12-month period for the young playmaker, who has emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
A Trophy-Laden Season at the Parc des Princes
Since arriving in the French capital, Doué has been a revelation under manager Luis Enrique. The versatile midfielder contributed 12 goals and 17 assists across all competitions in the 2024–25 season, helping PSG secure a domestic treble: Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. His ability to operate as a No. 10, wide attacker, or central playmaker has drawn comparisons to a young Paul Pogba—fitting, given that Doué now joins Pogba (2013), Anthony Martial (2015), and Kylian Mbappé (2017) as the fourth Frenchman to claim the Golden Boy.
Doué’s impact was immediate. In his debut campaign, he started 28 league matches, registering 8 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 alone. His most memorable performance came in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool, where he scored once and provided two assists in a 4–2 aggregate victory. PSG ultimately fell to Manchester City in the quarter-finals, but Doué’s flair, vision, and composure under pressure marked him as a cornerstone of the club’s future.
From Rennes Prodigy to Global Star
Born in Angers on June 3, 2005, Doué progressed through the renowned Rennes academy alongside his older brother Guéla, now a defender at Strasbourg. He made his professional debut for Rennes at just 16, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player in a Ligue 1 match against Bordeaux in August 2021. Over three seasons, he amassed 82 appearances, scoring 9 goals and providing 12 assists before PSG triggered his release clause.
His €50 million move—potentially rising to €60 million with add-ons—was initially met with skepticism given his age and injury history. However, Doué silenced doubters with consistent performances and maturity beyond his years. “He has everything: technique, intelligence, physicality, and that killer instinct in the final third,” Luis Enrique said after a 3–0 win over Marseille in which Doué scored a stunning 25-yard volley.
Individual Accolades Reflect Meteoric Rise
The Golden Boy is the latest in a string of individual honors for Doué. He finished 14th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or— the highest ranking for a player under 21—and was runner-up for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world’s best young player during the same ceremony. Only Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the 2024 Golden Boy winner, prevented Doué from sweeping both youth awards. Yamal, now 18, was ineligible to retain the Golden Boy under Tuttosport’s one-win rule, effectively clearing the path for Doué.
The Golden Boy shortlist is compiled using the Football Benchmark Index, a data-driven ranking that evaluates under-21 players across Europe’s top divisions based on minutes played, goals, assists, dribbles, pass accuracy, defensive contributions, and team success. Doué topped the index for the 2024–25 season, outperforming peers in both offensive output and progressive play.
International Emergence and Injury Setback
Doué earned his first senior cap for France in a UEFA Nations League match against Belgium in September 2024, coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 victory. He has since added three more appearances, including a start in a 4–1 friendly win over Israel. National team coach Didier Deschamps has praised Doué’s adaptability, hinting at a potential role in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Unfortunately, a grade-two thigh strain suffered during the October international break has ruled Doué out for 6–8 weeks. PSG confirmed the injury on October 18, with the player expected to return in early December. Despite the setback, club medical staff remain optimistic about his recovery timeline.
A New French Golden Generation?
Doué’s triumph continues a proud tradition of French success in the Golden Boy award. His predecessors—Pogba, Martial, and Mbappé—each went on to become global superstars, with Mbappé winning the 2018 World Cup and multiple Champions League titles. Analysts believe Doué has the potential to follow a similar trajectory.
“He reminds me of a young Zinedine Zidane in his elegance and decision-making,” said Tuttosport editor Xavier Jacobelli. “But he has the goal threat of Mbappé and the versatility of Pogba. At 20, he’s already a complete midfielder.”
The Golden Boy Legacy
Established in 2003, the Golden Boy has been awarded to some of football’s greatest talents, including Wayne Rooney (2004), Lionel Messi (2005), Sergio Agüero (2007), Erling Haaland (2020), Pedri (2021), Gavi (2022), Jude Bellingham (2023), and Yamal (2024). The award’s voting panel includes journalists from major European outlets such as Bild, The Times, L’Équipe, and Marca.
This year’s top 10 also featured Paris Saint-Germain teammate Warren Zaïre-Emery (6th), Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho (8th), and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel (10th), underscoring the depth of young talent in European football.
Looking Ahead
With the injury behind him, Doué is expected to return for PSG’s crucial December fixtures, including a Ligue 1 clash with title rivals Monaco and the Club World Cup in the United States. His long-term contract runs until 2030, and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has already declared the Frenchman “untouchable” amid reported interest from Premier League clubs.
As the football world celebrates its newest Golden Boy, Désiré Doué stands on the cusp of greatness. From the Rennes academy to the Parc des Princes, his journey is a testament to talent, hard work, and timing. For now, the thigh injury is a minor footnote in a story that promises many more chapters.
