Latest news with #DésiréDoué
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta Rejected Chance to Pursue PSG Ace Who Starred in Champions League Win
Désiré Doué has been turning heads in recent months with standout performances against Liverpool and Aston Villa, capped off by a stunning brace in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan. The young Frenchman played a pivotal role in PSG's shootout win over Liverpool, calmly converting the decisive penalty to send the English side packing. He followed that up in the next round by scoring a brilliant equalizer against Aston Villa in the first leg, helping PSG take control of the tie with a 3-1 victory. Advertisement With such poise in high-stakes moments, it's no surprise top European clubs are starting to take notice. And on the biggest stage of all, Doué delivered again—scoring twice in the Champions League final to help PSG lift the trophy. Yet, there was one club that had a chance to make a serious move for Doué last summer but ultimately passed. Arsenal missed out on PSG standout last summerAccording to Fichajes, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta passed on the chance to sign the PSG ace that the club had been tracking for £30 million last year. His reasoning was simple during a meeting with the club's directors: 'We already have Martinelli,' he said. Doué also had other suitors last summer with Bayern Munich being one team keen on him. Nonetheless, the Frenchman decided to stay in France and leave Stade Rennais for PSG and after this weekend's performance against Inter Milan the decision proved to be the right one.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2nd Barcelona star misses out on Champions League award
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially missed out on the award for Young Player of the Season in the Champions League. This comes owing to the scintillating performance put forth by Désiré Doué in Saturday's tournament finale. Advertisement The 2024/25 Champions League campaign was of course brought to a definitive end over the weekend, upon Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan locking horns in Munich. When all was said and done, it was the former who emerged dominant victors, by five goals to nil. And the aforementioned Doué proved himself the star of the show in the rout, notching a fine brace, alongside an assist. After Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal was previously considered a shoo-in for the prize, PSG's talented young attacker, in turn, was on Sunday officially named Champions League Young Player of the Season. As much marks the 2nd blow for a member of Hansi Flick's Blaugrana squad over the last 24 hours, after Raphinha, despite finishing as the tournament's top scorer and assist-maker, missed out on the Player of the Season accolade to Ousmane Dembélé. Conor Laird – GSFN
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Doué's sensational Champions League performance for PSG launches him into a new dimension
PARIS (AP) — Translate Désiré Doué's name into English and you get the words 'coveted' and 'gifted.' Both seem highly appropriate, considering how the 19-year-old's stunning performance for Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final launched him into soccer's stratosphere, making Doué a player every team would love to have. Doué scored with two clinical finishes in a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan after setting up PSG's first goal with a remarkable piece of close control. Controlling the ball on his left foot and spinning in one swift movement inside the penalty area, he then effortlessly switched feet and passed with his right to Achraf Hakimi. 'I really don't have the words to describe how I feel. What we did is magical. We showed we are a great side collectively,' said Doué, who turns 20 on Tuesday. 'There are a lot of young players in the side who still need to improve, I am among them." Doué improving is quite a scary thought, given how good he already is. A game-changing ability When Doué joined PSG from Rennes for around 50 million euros ($55 million) in the offseason, it appeared a hefty fee for an unproven young player. Except for the fans who closely followed Ligue 1, he was largely unknown in France and beyond. Furthermore, his return of eight goals in 76 games hardly suggested he would become a dangerous scorer. But Rennes is one of the best youth academies in European soccer. Doué's PSG teammate Ousmane Dembélé came through the ranks there as did Mathys Tel before joining Bayern Munich. PSG coach Luis Enrique, who coached Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar when Barcelona won the Champions League in 2015, saw a game-changing ability in Doué. He was proved right. Doué's emergence in the second part of the season saw him take goal-scoring winger Bradley Barcola's place in the starting lineup. It also coincided with PSG's revival in the Champions League after a difficult group stage where the club lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern. Doué held his nerve in the penalty shootout win against Liverpool in March, scoring the decisive kick in emphatic style to send PSG into the quarterfinals. Later that month, he also scored for France in a penalty shootout win in the Nations League. Doué kept improving in the big games Doué equalized in the quarterfinal first leg against Aston Villa in Paris and scored five goals in the competition. Overall he scored 15 goals for PSG this season, including spectacular curlers from outside the penalty area with his right foot. His silky close control, allied to an ability to wrong-foot defenders, made him a vital part of PSG's intricate approach play, particularly in confined spaces. His unorthodox dribbling is often brilliant, but does not always come off, so he reigned it in. 'I sometimes overdo it a bit, but I try to keep my personality. When you play, you know there are areas where you have to build, release the ball, and others where you have more freedom,' Doué said. "I analyze my matches and my training sessions a lot. I try to always maintain my discipline, and I hope that will take me to the very, very high level.' Doué said that back in April. On Saturday night he achieved it, and joined Barcelona's 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal among the most coveted young players in world soccer.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Doué's sensational Champions League performance for PSG launches him into a new dimension
PARIS — Translate Désiré Doué's name into English and you get the words 'coveted' and 'gifted.' Both seem highly appropriate, considering how the 19-year-old's stunning performance for Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final launched him into soccer's stratosphere, making Doué a player every team would love to have. Doué scored with two clinical finishes in a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan after setting up PSG's first goal with a remarkable piece of close control. Controlling the ball on his left foot and spinning in one swift movement inside the penalty area, he then effortlessly switched feet and passed with his right to Achraf Hakimi.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Doué's sensational Champions League performance for PSG launches him into a new dimension
PARIS (AP) — Translate Désiré Doué's name into English and you get the words 'coveted' and 'gifted.' Both seem highly appropriate, considering how the 19-year-old's stunning performance for Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final launched him into soccer's stratosphere, making Doué a player every team would love to have. Doué scored with two clinical finishes in a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan after setting up PSG's first goal with a remarkable piece of close control. Controlling the ball on his left foot and spinning in one swift movement inside the penalty area, he then effortlessly switched feet and passed with his right to Achraf Hakimi. 'I really don't have the words to describe how I feel. What we did is magical. We showed we are a great side collectively,' said Doué, who turns 20 on Tuesday. 'There are a lot of young players in the side who still need to improve, I am among them.' Doué improving is quite a scary thought, given how good he already is. A game-changing ability When Doué joined PSG from Rennes for around 50 million euros ($55 million) in the offseason, it appeared a hefty fee for an unproven young player. Except for the fans who closely followed Ligue 1, he was largely unknown in France and beyond. Furthermore, his return of eight goals in 76 games hardly suggested he would become a dangerous scorer. But Rennes is one of the best youth academies in European soccer. Doué's PSG teammate Ousmane Dembélé came through the ranks there as did Mathys Tel before joining Bayern Munich. PSG coach Luis Enrique, who coached Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar when Barcelona won the Champions League in 2015, saw a game-changing ability in Doué. He was proved right. Doué's emergence in the second part of the season saw him take goal-scoring winger Bradley Barcola's place in the starting lineup. It also coincided with PSG's revival in the Champions League after a difficult group stage where the club lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern. Doué held his nerve in the penalty shootout win against Liverpool in March, scoring the decisive kick in emphatic style to send PSG into the quarterfinals. Later that month, he also scored for France in a penalty shootout win in the Nations League. Doué kept improving in the big games Doué equalized in the quarterfinal first leg against Aston Villa in Paris and scored five goals in the competition. Overall he scored 15 goals for PSG this season, including spectacular curlers from outside the penalty area with his right foot. His silky close control, allied to an ability to wrong-foot defenders, made him a vital part of PSG's intricate approach play, particularly in confined spaces. His unorthodox dribbling is often brilliant, but does not always come off, so he reigned it in. 'I sometimes overdo it a bit, but I try to keep my personality. When you play, you know there are areas where you have to build, release the ball, and others where you have more freedom,' Doué said. 'I analyze my matches and my training sessions a lot. I try to always maintain my discipline, and I hope that will take me to the very, very high level.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Doué said that back in April. On Saturday night he achieved it, and joined Barcelona's 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal among the most coveted young players in world soccer. They could face each other on Thursday, when France plays Spain in the Nations League semifinals. Both have the soccer world at their feet. ___ AP soccer:
