It has been a dreamlike 18 months for Desire Doue. Since making the step up with Paris Saint-Germain, the young Frenchman has embraced every moment of a remarkable rise. Speaking on the eve of Les Bleus’ Round of 16 tie against Paraguay, the 21-year-old made no attempt to hide his delight at featuring in his first .
“Honestly, I’m enjoying my first World Cup,” he said. “I think every player who gets the chance to play at a World Cup feels nothing but pure joy. That’s why, when teams are sent home, you see so much sadness and disappointment.
"It’s a magical competition to play in. I'm always smiling during the national anthem because I’m over the moon to be here.”
The Stade Rennais academy product has worn that smile throughout the tournament, despite not yet being guaranteed a place in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI. While the Ousmane Dembele-Kylian Mbappe-Michael Olise trio now appears untouchable, the fourth spot in attack is being shared by Doue and his Parisian team-mate Bradley Barcola, both of whom have started twice since the competition began.
Although many expected Doue to cement his place higher up the pecking order, he has embraced the rotation with complete composure.
“We’re part of a group,” said the forward, who won the Best Young Player award at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. “This is the World Cup; it’s a competition like no other. The coach makes the call when it comes to the starting line-up, but every member of the squad has a role, and every player can make a difference. When the time comes, if Bradley has to play, he’ll be ready. If I have to play, I’ll be ready and I’ll deliver.”
The rotation has not come at the expense of end product. Between them, Doue and Barcola have already scored three of France’s 13 goals at this World Cup. The former rounded off the 4-1 win over Norway, while the latter struck against Senegal and Sweden, neatly underlining the depth of attacking options at Didier Deschamps’ disposal.
As Luis Enrique does at PSG, Deschamps has two complementary profiles to call upon. While Doue offers versatility and composure in crowded areas, Barcola provides directness, depth and searing pace. They can certainly line up together, yet their differing strengths means Deschamps can shuffle his pack without losing potency. It is an approach echoed at club level. In PSG’s last 20 matches, Doue and Barcola have been named in the same starting line-up just eight times.
With France, Deschamps has started them together just once, in the 2-0 win in Ukraine in UEFA qualifying. Yet their understanding goes well beyond any notion of rivalry.
“There isn’t really any genuine competition,” Barcola told FIFA after the victory over Sweden. “As Desire said, we get on really well, both on and off the pitch. We help each other. At half-time, he gave me advice, and I do the same for him when he starts. We just get on really well. That’s why we’re able to perform at our best.”
Doue shares that view: “We both have plenty of attributes, but we both have different profiles. I know I can play in several positions: midfield, attack, centre-forward, on the right or on the left. Bradley is primarily a winger. He can also operate as a No9 and is blessed with pace, whether carrying the ball or attacking space. I’m slightly more comfortable in tight spaces or playing in the middle of the pitch. We’re two different profiles who work very well together.”
Deschamps, much like Doue, gave little away when asked who would start against Paraguay. But one thing is certain: whichever way the France coach goes, he has two distinct options capable of delivering similar results.
For Doue, as long as France keep winning, the smile is unlikely to go anywhere soon.
Sources: FIFA Official
