Désiré Doué is a French footballer known for his devout Christian faith. The 19-year-old midfielder openly thanks Jesus Christ after key matches, for example, he exclaimed “Merci, Seigneur Jésus-Christ” (“Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ”) upon winning the 2025 Champions League.
Quick Profile: Désiré Doué
| Full Name | Désiré Nonka-Maho Doué |
| Date of Birth | 3 June 2005 (age 20) |
| Birthplace | Angers, France |
| Nationality | French/Ivorian (Dual) |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Religion | Christian |
What Religion is Désiré Doué?
Désiré Doué is a Christian who openly expresses his faith in Jesus Christ. After helping Paris Saint-Germain win their first ever UEFA Champions League title on May 31, 2025, the teenager gave an emotional interview that revealed the depth of his religious beliefs. When asked about his man of the match performance where he scored two goals and assisted another in the 5 to 0 demolition of Inter Milan, Doué’s response was simple yet powerful.
He stated I have one thing to say, thank you Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for everything. He helps us, he protects us, he blessed us tonight, he blessed me tonight and I want to thank him, thank you for everything. This declaration of faith was shared widely on social media, with many Christian communities around the world celebrating his public testimony.
While some sources have incorrectly identified him as Muslim, the evidence overwhelmingly supports his Christian faith. His public statement thanking Jesus Christ after the biggest match of his career, combined with his Instagram bio and the testimony of French Christian media outlets that have followed his faith journey, all point to Christianity as his religion. The confusion may have arisen due to his Ivorian heritage, but his own words and actions leave no doubt about his beliefs.
Doué represents a growing generation of young footballers who are unafraid to express their Christian faith publicly. He joins other players like Jérémy Doku, Cody Gakpo, and Vinícius Júnior who have openly thanked Jesus Christ after major victories. For these athletes, faith provides not just spiritual guidance but also mental strength and perspective in the face of immense pressure and expectations.
Early Life
Désiré Doué was born on 3 June 2005 in Angers, France. He grew up in a bicultural family, his father is Ivorian and his mother is French. This dual heritage has given him the option to represent either France or Ivory Coast internationally, though he has chosen to play for France.
At just five years old in 2011, Doué joined the youth academy of Stade Rennais FC, commonly known as Rennes. The club’s famous academy, which has produced numerous French international players, immediately recognized his exceptional talent. Coaches noted his technical ability, vision, and football intelligence from an early age, predicting that he could become something special if he continued to develop properly.
Growing up in Angers before moving to Rennes for his football education meant that Doué experienced a relatively normal childhood despite his obvious talent. He attended school while training at the academy, learning to balance academics with his athletic pursuits.
Career Highlights
Doué made his professional debut with Rennes in 2022 and quickly became one of the club’s top young talents. In August 2024, Paris Saint-Germain paid a club-record fee (reported around €50 million) to sign the 19-year-old, this made him one of the most expensive teenage signings in football history. Notably, he turned down an offer from German giants Bayern Munich to join PSG, believing that the Parisian club offered the best environment for his development.
He made his PSG debut on August 23, 2024, coming on as a substitute in a 6 to 0 victory over Montpellier, wearing the number 14 shirt. When asked about his decision to choose PSG over Bayern Munich, Doué stated clearly that he had no regrets. His first assist for PSG came in the very next match on September 1, when he provided a cross for Randal Kolo Muani’s header in a 3 to 1 victory over Lille.
On September 18, 2024, Doué made his UEFA Champions League debut at the Parc des Princes against Spanish side Girona. He scored his first Champions League goal on December 10 in a 3 to 0 away win over Red Bull Salzburg. His first man of the match award in Ligue 1 came on December 15 in a 3 to 1 home win against Lyon, where he assisted Ousmane Dembélé’s opening goal and won a penalty that was converted by Vitinha.
At 19 years and 362 days old, Doué became the first ever teenager to score twice in a Champions League final, breaking a record that had stood since 1962 when Eusébio scored in the final at 20 years and 97 days old. He also became the youngest player ever to assist in a Champions League final, overtaking Jude Bellingham’s record from the previous season. Additionally, he became only the second teenager since Brian Kidd in 1968 to both score and assist in a Champions League final, and the first player with three goal involvements in a final since Sandro Mazzola in 1964.
For this historic performance, Doué received the man of the match award and was later named the UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season, beating out Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for the prestigious honor. The UEFA Technical Observer Group praised him, stating Doué has been a revelation this season.
Career Earnings
Désiré Doué’s move to Paris Saint-Germain represented not just a career milestone but also a significant financial step. His contract with PSG runs until June 30, 2029, and includes substantial financial terms that reflect his status as one of Europe’s most promising young players. According to reports, his salary at PSG is approximately 6 million euros for the 2024 to 25 season, which translates to 115,385 euros weekly excluding bonuses.
The total value of his five year contract is estimated at 30 million euros gross, meaning his average annual salary is around 6 million euros. There have been discussions about a potential contract extension with a significant salary boost, which could make him one of the highest paid young players in Ligue 1. Given his Champions League winning performances and individual awards, such an extension seems likely in the near future.
Personal Life
Beyond the statistics and trophies, Désiré Doué’s personal life reflects his commitment to his Christian faith and family values. He maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing primarily on his football career and spiritual development. At 19 years old, he has stated that he is not currently in a romantic relationship, choosing instead to concentrate on his professional growth and maintaining his grounded perspective.
He has an older brother, Guéla Doué, who is also a professional footballer (playing for RC Strasbourg) and a younger sister. Apart from football and faith, not much is public about Doué’s personal life; he focuses on training, games and spending time with family.
