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Paris Saint-Germain’s Desiré Doué has stoked the growing rivalry with Lamine Yamal by bluntly declaring himself the better player.
In a TikTok video, the 19-year-old Frenchman was asked who he thought was the best between him and the Barcelona winger. His reply was swift: “It’s a very good question. It’s me!”
🚨Le mec demande à doué « qui est le meilleur entre toi et yamal »
Doué : « c’est moi 😁 »
Je connais un mec jaloux.. #desiredoue #yamal #paris pic.twitter.com/G0TlIEbdJR
— FCB DAWDッ (@DawudTc91265) July 29, 2025
Doué’s claim comes as the race heats up for the 2025 Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best under-21 player in the world. With Yamal having already won the prize in 2024 – and therefore ineligible to win it again – Doué is now the frontrunner. His second half of the season has been electric.
After a slow start following his €50 million move from Rennes, Doué exploded into form for PSG. He ended the campaign with 16 goals and 16 assists in 61 appearances across all competitions. His standout moment came in the Champions League final, where he scored twice and provided an assist in PSG’s 5–0 victory over Inter Milan.
The performance has placed him firmly on the radar for both the Golden Boy and Kopa trophies, marking a meteoric rise since breaking into the starting XI in December. His impact has also earned him a spot in the France senior squad.
But while Doué’s form is undeniable, Yamal’s numbers remain superior. The 18-year-old recorded 18 goals and 21 assists for Barcelona this season and was instrumental in their Champions League run. He played over 1,500 minutes more than Doué and consistently delivered in big matches, including a sensational solo goal against Inter Milan in the semi-final.
Yamal’s market value, according to CIES, currently stands at £339 million, compared to Doué’s £91 million. Despite that, the Frenchman appears undeterred.
Doué’s self-assurance might strike some as premature, but his upward trajectory is difficult to ignore. His late-season performances, including his starring role in Europe’s biggest club final, have thrust him into the conversation for football’s brightest young talent.
The pair have never directly competed for an individual award until now. In 2024, Yamal won both the Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy with little resistance. Doué wasn’t even shortlisted.
This year is different. With Yamal out of the running for Kopa, Doué stands alone at the top of the favourites list. Whether that will be enough to earn the votes remains to be seen. But ask Doué, and he already knows the answer. “It’s me.”
