Paris Saint-Germain tried for years to crack the Champions League code by counting on a list of stars.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe all got here and went having didn’t ship the prize the membership craved essentially the most.
In the long run, on a balmy evening in Munich, it was a 19-year-old from Angers, signed from Rennes within the wake of Mbappe’s exit for Actual Madrid, who had the solutions PSG wanted as they lastly lifted European membership soccer’s largest prize.
Whereas the likes of Vitinha, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele all sparkled as PSG routed Inter Milan by a 5-0 margin that marked the most important in a European Cup or Champions League remaining, it was Want Doue who stole the present.
He mixed with Vitinha to tee up Achraf Hakimi for the Twelfth-minute opener and, after doubling the PSG lead with a deflected effort eight minutes later, {the teenager} successfully made certain of victory three minutes after the hour, firing contained in the right-hand publish following a slick transfer involving Dembele and Vitinha.
Doue was a menace to a shellshocked Inter defence all through, his motion distinctive, his tempo horrifying and his distribution a wondrous mix of precision and artistry.
He might need had a hat-trick had he not been withdrawn from the motion quickly after his second purpose, supervisor Luis Enrique defending in opposition to a attainable dismissal with Doue on a yellow. Following his substitution, PSG scored twice extra by way of Kvaratskhelia and 19-year-old Senny Mayulu.
HISTORY MADE 📸 pic.twitter.com/tjHbezI2vP
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) Could 31, 2025
Nonetheless, Doue’s efficiency noticed him develop into the youngest participant to attain twice in a European Cup or Champions League remaining on the age of 19 years and 361 days.
His exhibiting was final vindication of Luis Enrique’s religion in youth, PSG having the youngest common beginning age of groups to achieve the final 16 of this season’s Champions League at 24 years and 274 days.
Doue’s show was sufficient to render any observer speechless, and he was nearly misplaced for phrases when requested about PSG’s triumph.
“I’ve no phrases. It’s simply unimaginable for me, merely unimaginable,” Doue advised TNT Sports activities.
Paying tribute to Luis Enrique, Doue added: “[He] has been right here two years. Tactically, mentally he’s a very good coach, an unbelievable coach and as a human being too. It’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Although PSG’s win was a victory for his or her youth motion, it additionally marked the fruits of a profession’s price of labor for captain Marquinhos, who was lastly capable of raise the trophy after 12 years at PSG.
“I’ve been right here 12 years. These 12 years are working by way of my thoughts now,” Marquinhos advised CBS Sports activities.
“In a remaining, 5-0, it’s an explosion of feelings, it simply made me really feel like I used to be dreaming. I waited for the whistle and simply stepped again and loved that second.”
Whereas delighted to finish the lengthy anticipate European glory, Marquinhos couldn’t assist however consider those that failed in that quest with the membership in earlier years.
“It’s a combination of pleasure, of all of the feelings we’ve spent collectively,” the Brazilian advised M6. “I suffered, however I grew up with this crew.
“I consider all of the gamers who’ve come and gone and didn’t succeed.
“My idol, Thiago [Silva], Lucas [Moura], Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], [Edinson] Cavani, [Angel] Di Maria. So many gamers who’ve come and gone right here who deserved it and didn’t succeed.
“We arrive and we convey it dwelling. I consider all of the supporters who’ve been with us, these on the Parc and people all over the world. I like you, take pleasure in it, and we’re going to take pleasure in it right here.
“It’s one of the best day of my life. My household was with me and skilled it with me. It was a giant purpose. Once we arrived, nobody believed we might go this far.
“It’s 12 years of issue and struggling. I worth this title an excessive amount of, it’s with us, and we’re bringing it dwelling. I’m so blissful.”
