After winning the UEFA Champions League with a historic 5-goal thrashing of Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain’s young star puts Pau Cubarsí in a difficult position!

The curtains have officially fallen on the 2024/25 football season, with Paris Saint-Germain closing it out in the most emphatic fashion imaginable. The French giants secured the UEFA Champions League trophy after ruthlessly dismantling Inter Milan in the final, winning 5-0. But amid the collective brilliance of the Parisian side, one name stood out and echoed across Europe—Désiré Doué.

The 19-year-old French winger delivered a performance for the ages, scoring twice and assisting once in the final. His flair, speed, and tactical awareness were simply too much for the Italian defense to handle. For many watching, it felt like the birth of a global superstar.

Doué’s journey to this moment has been swift yet richly deserved. PSG snapped him up last summer from Rennes for €50 million—a figure that now seems like a bargain given how quickly he has blossomed. Known for his versatility, he can dominate both wings or operate behind the striker, always injecting creativity and danger.

Rennes, the academy that produced him, continues to build a reputation as a breeding ground for exceptional talent. From Ousmane Dembélé to Eduardo Camavinga, and now Désiré Doué, the Ligue 1 side is proving itself a crucial link in France’s footballing conveyor belt.

In just one season in Paris, Doué has transitioned from a promising youngster to a talismanic figure for PSG. His impact has gone far beyond domestic competitions; it was in Europe that he truly announced himself. And in the final against Inter, under the brightest lights, he confirmed that he is built for the big stage.

While fans across France celebrate their new hero, his emergence has caused ripples far beyond the French capital. One of the most affected by Doué’s rise could be Barcelona’s young defensive sensation, Pau Cubarsí. The Catalan centre-back had been a frontrunner for the 2025 Golden Boy award—until now.

Cubarsí, who broke into the Barcelona first team this season, had impressed with his poise, defensive intelligence, and maturity far beyond his years. His performances were instrumental in Barça’s late-season resurgence and kept him firmly in the Golden Boy conversation.

But football is often about moments—and Doué seized the biggest one of them all. The Champions League final is the sport’s grandest stage at the club level, and Doué’s commanding performance could tilt the Golden Boy race in his favor. In a year filled with emerging talents, shining in that kind of spotlight carries immense weight.

The Golden Boy award, handed out annually by Italy’s Tuttosport, recognizes the most impressive under-21 player in Europe. Historically, Barcelona has enjoyed great success in this category, producing four winners: Lionel Messi (2005), Pedri, Gavi, and the current holder, Lamine Yamal.

Cubarsí was hoping to add his name to that illustrious list and make it five for Barça. His consistency and rise from La Masia to the senior team had built a strong case. However, the brilliance of Doué has complicated that narrative significantly.

Though the race is not officially over and the award won’t be decided until later in the year, momentum now appears to be firmly on Doué’s side. His late-season surge, crowned by the Champions League triumph, has given him a significant advantage.

If the award goes to Doué, PSG would secure only their second ever Golden Boy trophy. The first, of course, was won by Kylian Mbappé in 2017—another generational talent from France who took the world by storm. It would be fitting for Doué to follow in his footsteps.

From a broader perspective, this moment also signals a potential power shift. While Barcelona has dominated youth development for decades, clubs like PSG are now proving that their investments in young players can produce equally spectacular results. Doué might be just the beginning of a new era in Paris.

Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsí remains an elite talent in his own right. At just 17, he has time on his side and can take heart in the long-term trajectory of players like Gavi and Pedri, who also had to navigate fierce competition before earning their recognition.

For now, the spotlight belongs to Désiré Doué. His heroics in the Champions League final have not only brought glory to PSG but also reshaped the narrative surrounding the Golden Boy race. From Rennes’ academy fields to the summit of European football, he’s arrived—and he’s here to stay.

As Barcelona fans wait anxiously for the award’s outcome, one thing is clear: the 2025 edition of the Golden Boy will be a decision defined by brilliance, potential, and the power of big moments. Whether it’s Doué lifting the trophy or Cubarsí making a late comeback, European football is in very good hands with its emerging stars.