The 2025-2026 season, however, began painfully for Désiré Doué: a series of thigh and calf injuries kept him off the pitch for several weeks, just as PSG, worn out by a never-ending 2024-2025 campaign, was counting its remaining fit players. When he returned, it was cautiously, needing time to regain his rhythm. "There are different moments in a season, ups and downs, and Désiré Doué showed his mentality during this tougher period," admitted Luis Enrique after his comeback. His discipline off the pitch, his obsession with football and physical fitness, gradually allowed him to get back to his best.
The turning point came in March during the French team’s American tour: a brace against Colombia in Washington, his first two goals for the national team in six appearances. PSG quickly benefited: in the Champions League quarterfinal against Liverpool, he opened the scoring in the 11th minute at the Parc des Princes, setting the tone for a 2-0 win that launched Paris’s run. Then came April 28 and the clash with Bayern: in a legendary 5-4 first-leg semifinal, Doué was at the heart of PSG’s attack, notably providing a brilliantly skillful assist for PSG’s fourth goal. In total this season, he has 13 goals in 39 matches in all competitions for PSG.
A role tailor-made for the World Cup
In the 26-man squad selected by Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé are the spearheads, with Olise and Doué supporting, in an exceptionally deep attacking group with nine forwards selected. While the hierarchy is still to be determined on paper, the circumstances speak for themselves. Bradley Barcola is struggling to recapture his early-season form. Marcus Thuram showed his limitations on the left wing during the loss to Ivory Coast. Hugo Ekitike had to withdraw from the World Cup after rupturing his Achilles tendon. The left flank is open, and Doué has seized it.
Deschamps is convinced: "He’s a very young player, he just celebrated his 21st birthday with us. He’s ready, decisive with his club, and with us too. He can play in three positions, he has the ability to beat players, dribble, make a difference, and he covers a lot of ground. That’s not always the case for attacking players. It’s great to have him with us, he’s another weapon."
A complementary partnership with Barcola
The Doué-Barcola relationship is less a rivalry than a sharing of roles. "Bradley is better at making runs in behind with his speed. Désiré can beat defenders in tight spaces, and he’s clinical in front of goal," sums up Adrien Rabiot, their midfield teammate. One to open up games, the other to finish them.
At PSG this season, Doué ranks second in successful dribbles per match, behind only Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, confirming that his ability to beat defenders in tight spaces is not just a perceived strength, but a measurable one. In a French attack capable of turning any match, he brings that extra technical spark that great teams rely on in decisive moments. For now, in Paris and in blue, Doué is one step ahead.