Zidane names PSG's Doué as player who reminds him of himself
France coach Zinedine Zidane has identified Paris Saint-Germain forward Désiré Doué as the player who most reminds him of his younger self. Speaking at a press conference Friday after naming his Nations League squad, Zidane praised the 21-year-old's attitude and willingness to learn.
"He is incredibly talented, and he is a good listener," Zidane said. "What I like is that he is eager to improve, eager to win honors. I really like his performances on the field and his attitude. If I had to say, I see myself in him as I was back then, because I also yearned to improve and listened to the older players and those around me."
Doué, who joined PSG from Rennes in 2024, has earned his first senior call-up for the Nations League fixtures against Israel and Italy later this month. The comparison from a World Cup winner and three-time Champions League champion signals high expectations for the young attacker's international future.
For Nigerian football fans tracking European talent, Doué's rise mirrors the trajectory of technically gifted midfielders who combine creativity with work rate—exactly the profile that thrives in modern systems. Will Doué justify Zidane's faith and become France's next midfield star?