Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Désiré Doué has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Golden Boy title, cementing his status as Europe’s most outstanding under-21 male footballer. The honour, presented annually by Italian outlet Tuttosport, places the 20-year-old among a celebrated list of former winners that includes Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Wayne Rooney.
The award announcement came on Tuesday at a press conference, with the official ceremony scheduled for December 1. Doué becomes the 23rd recipient of the accolade, recognised for his exceptional performances across domestic and international competitions last season.
His Golden Boy recognition follows an impressive awards run. In September, Doué finished fourteenth in the Ballon d’Or rankings and second in France Football’s Kopa Trophy, behind Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. Yamal was ineligible for this year’s Golden Boy prize, having already won it in 2024.
Désiré Doué:A Season of Elite Performances and Major Trophies
Doué’s meteoric rise comes on the back of an extraordinary campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. Across 61 appearances last season, the midfielder scored 16 goals and provided 16 assists, proving central to PSG’s treble triumph, including Ligue 1, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
His performances on the biggest stages further elevated his status. Doué contributed two goals and an assist in PSG’s Champions League final victory over Inter Milan, displaying maturity and creativity beyond his years. He also featured in seven matches during PSG’s FIFA Club World Cup journey, scoring once before the French giants fell to Chelsea in the final.
The recognition underscores Doué’s rapid evolution from promising youth talent to a central figure in one of Europe’s most competitive squads.
Injury Interruption but Continued Recognition
Despite his remarkable achievements, Doué has endured a challenging start to the current season. He has been sidelined since the September international break due to a right calf injury sustained while earning his fifth senior cap for France.
Nevertheless, his absence has not dimmed the regard in which he is held across European football. His accolades reflect the body of work he produced during the Golden Boy assessment period — spanning October 7, 2024 to May 18, 2025 — during which his impact was undeniable.
The honour reinforces PSG’s continued success in nurturing top youth talent, following the pathway of players such as Mbappé.
Competitive Field and Selection Process
Doué emerged victorious from a competitive shortlist of 25 elite prospects. Among the notable contenders were Chelsea’s Estevão, Real Madrid’s Arda Güler, and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly — names widely tipped as future stars in the global game.
The Golden Boy award uses a methodology developed by Football Benchmark, an advisory service that evaluates players based on performance levels, playing time, club competitiveness, and contributions to national teams and UEFA competitions. A key criterion also disqualifies players whose teams suffer relegation during the evaluation period, ensuring recognition is tied to competitive success.
Eligibility rules required candidates to be born on or after January 1, 2005, meaning only those who remained under 21 throughout 2025 were considered.
Golden Girl Honour Completes Celebratory Evening
The women’s equivalent award, the Golden Girl, went to England’s Michelle Agyemang, on loan at Brighton from Arsenal. The 19-year-old forward enjoyed a breakthrough year, scoring twice as England clinched the 2025 European Championship and earning Young Player of the Tournament.
The parallel successes of Doué and Agyemang highlight the growing depth of global youth football, showcasing talent across both the men’s and women’s games.
As the football world awaits the December ceremony, Doué’s Golden Boy triumph not only confirms his exceptional talent but also positions him as one of the leading figures of Europe’s next footballing generation.
