Desire Doue, the prodigious Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) youngster, delivered a stunning Man of the Match performance in the Champions League final, proving to be the real deal and achieving what club legends like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé could not. With two goals and a crucial assist in PSG‘s historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan, Doue was the undeniable star as Luis Enrique’s side finally lifted their first-ever Champions League crown. Doue was the defining story of the night, playing a direct part in the first three goals of the match. As he paused, hands on the polished Champions League trophy, the reflection staring back was that of the player who had won PSG their most coveted prize. It wasn’t the illustrious names of Pastore, Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, or David Beckham; it was him. Doue’s heroics ended French football’s 32-year wait for a European champion. A Record-Breaking Final Display The teenager’s impact was monumental and record-breaking. Doue became the first player ever to be involved in three or more goals in a Champions League final, a fitting statistic for a match that saw the biggest margin of victory in the competition’s history. “I don’t have words to describe it,” the 19-year-old admitted. Inter Milan, it seemed, had no way to stop him either. Doue’s elusive movement tormented the Italian defense: Federico Dimarco lost track of him, Francesco Acerbi mistook him for Ousmane Dembele, and Benjamin Pavard, already grappling with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, certainly didn’t need Doue popping up to add to his woes. A Teen Among Legends Doue joined an elite list of teenagers to score in a Champions League final, following Patrick Kluivert (1995) and Carlos Alberto (2004). Not even Cristiano Ronaldo (23 in his first UCL final) or Messi (unused in 2006) managed that at his age. And while Kylian Mbappé, arguably PSG’s greatest talent, came agonisingly close in 2020, it was Doue who finally lifted the trophy that Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi had been unable to bring home. Furthermore, Doue is only the sixth player in Champions League history to both score and assist in a final, and at 19 years and 362 days old, he is the youngest ever to do so. Smart Spending, Local Talent Doue’s arrival at PSG last summer for £42 million from Rennes marked a significant shift in the club’s strategy under Luis Enrique. This came in the wake of Kylian Mbappé’s high-profile departure to Real Madrid, leaving a void many believed irreplaceable. Doue, however, was one of the young talents tasked with filling that void, and he certainly made the best impression. Addressing the comparisons before the final, Doue humbly stated, “I am Desire Doue, Kylian is Kylian. He is a sensational player, he has already done a lot of things in football. I am trying to create my own path.” “Wonderful. Magical,” was how Doue himself described his unforgettable night, perfectly encapsulating the effect he had on Inter. His alertness for the first goal, his intelligent run to meet Vitinha’s defence-splitting pass, his turn on the back foot, and his scan for Achraf Hakimi all culminated in a simple tap-in against his old club. He expertly drew in Dimarco for that goal, then dashed into the space the Inter wing-back vacated for his second, making Dimarco’s life a misery before Simone Inzaghi mercifully replaced him in the 54th minute. While his first goal was the result of a slight deflection off Dimarco, his second showcased composure beyond his years. Released by Vitinha once again, he coolly slotted a one-on-one shot past Yann Sommer, reminiscent of the chance Randal Kolo Muani famously missed in the 2022 World Cup final. Kolo Muani, incidentally, was sent on loan to Juventus over the winter, having lost his place to Doue and Bradley Barcola. “It was business as usual for me,” Doue remarked about scoring twice and assisting another of PSG’s five goals. In doing so, he became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League final. His teammate Senny Mayulu (19 years, 14 days) later nudged him down to fourth when he came off the bench to make it 5-0. All this from a player who only turns 20 on Tuesday. PSG’s Quiet Revolution PSG’s transformation under Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos has been profound — and quiet. No superstar circus this time. Nearly €250m was spent, but not on household names. Instead, PSG turned to rising stars — including Doue, signed from Rennes for £42 million, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, formerly of Napoli. This was no galáctico experiment. This was a team brimming with young, fearless talent — the youngest squad in the tournament and now its champions. The Allianz Arena, where Lamine Yamal had introduced himself to the world during Euro 2024, became Doue’s stage for immortality. “We are rewriting history,” he said. “Not just of this club, but of French and European football.” With one unforgettable performance, Desire Doue did what the greats could not. PSG finally have their star, and he’s just getting started.