Israel's Pyrrhic Victory Is Peace Worth the Price of Isolation?

0

From Messi's Shadow to Champion's Spotlight PSG's Unlikely Hero

PSG craved Champions League glory but Messi, Mbappe and Beckham couldn’t deliver. Doue could - The Athletic - The New York Times

PSG's Champions League Dream Finally Realized: Not with Messi, Mbappé, or Beckham, but with Doué


The scene was set at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Javier Pastore, a name synonymous with the initial Qatari investment in Paris Saint-Germain, carried the coveted Champions League trophy. A nostalgic smile played on his lips, a mix of pride for the current squad and perhaps a tinge of wistfulness. He handed it over to PSG skipper Marquinhos, knowing that the journey to this moment had been long and arduous.


Rewind to 2011. Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired PSG, and Pastore was their marquee signing, a €42 million acquisition from Palermo. President Nasser Al-Khelaifi's vision was clear: find the next Lionel Messi, not necessarily buy the existing one. Ironically, a decade later, they did both. Messi's arrival, coinciding with Qatar's hosting of the World Cup, brought immense value, culminating in that iconic moment of him lifting the World Cup trophy draped in a bisht. However, even the great Messi couldn't deliver the Champions League crown to Paris.


The question lingered: who would be the one to finally break the PSG Champions League curse? The hopes were then pinned on the Paris-born prodigy, Kylian Mbappé. But the allure of Real Madrid, fresh off their 15th Champions League triumph, proved too strong. Mbappé departed last summer, seeking his own European glory elsewhere.


On this night in Munich, as Pastore placed the trophy on its plinth, the PSG players lined up to admire their prize. Desire Doue, however, paused, his hands resting on the trophy's handles as if greeting an old friend. In the reflection of the polished silver, he saw the player who had orchestrated PSG's historic victory: himself.


It wasn't Pastore, Messi, Neymar, or Mbappé. It wasn't Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, or even David Beckham, who watched from the stands. It was Doue, the UEFA Man of the Match, the player who ended French football's 32-year drought for a European champion.


Doue's Masterclass:


  • "I don’t have words to describe it," the teenager admitted, encapsulating the disbelief and joy of PSG fans worldwide.
  • His impact was undeniable. His alertness led to the first goal, a clever pass finding Vitinha, whose defense-splitting ball found Achraf Hakimi for the tap-in against his former club.
  • He tormented Inter's Federico Dimarco, forcing a substitution in the 54th minute.
  • Doue's second goal displayed remarkable composure, a cool finish past Yann Sommer in a one-on-one situation.





Doue became the third-youngest player to score in a Champions League final, a feat later surpassed by his teammate Senny Mayulu, who further cemented PSG's dominance with a fifth goal. His performance underscores the shrewd business conducted by PSG and their sporting director, Luis Campos, this season. Investing in promising talents like Doue and Joao Neves signifies a long-term strategy, positioning PSG alongside Barcelona as the future of the competition.


The Allianz Arena, the stage where Lamine Yamal announced himself last summer, once again witnessed the birth of a new star. Desire Doue's performance against Inter wasn't just a victory; it was a statement. It was the culmination of years of ambition, investment, and ultimately, faith in youth. PSG's Champions League triumph isn't just the end of a quest; it's a full circle moment.


As Doue himself declared, "We are rewriting the history, not just of this club but French football, European football. We’re delighted with everything we’ve been able to pull off. Not just this evening, but throughout the season." Looking at his reflection in the Champions League trophy, he saw not just a victory, but the future of PSG and French football staring back.


(Photo: Alex Pantling — UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)


Tags: Javier Pastore, PSG, Lionel Messi, Qatar Sports, Soccer, Football, Marquinhos, Inter, Palermo, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Desire Doue, Kylian Mbappe

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6395072/2025/06/01/psg-champions-league-glory-messi-doue/

Comments

Post a Comment