Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Désiré Doué is PSG’s lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins

Désiré Doué is PSG's lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins | iNFOnews.ca
PSG's Desire Doue controls the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

PARIS (AP) — Every time Désiré Doué has scored for Paris Saint-Germain the team has won.

The 20-year-old forward looks to extend that winning run on Wednesday when PSG faces Monaco in the second leg of their Champions League playoff. Doué scored twice in the 3-2 first leg win after going on early for Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who is sidelined with a calf injury.

“It’s a very good statistic and I saw it very recently. It’s very pleasing,” Doué said on Tuesday. “But you should also highlight that when I don’t score the team also wins very often. You shouldn’t just wait for me to score every time.”

After scoring against Monaco last week, Doué put his hands over his ears as if to show he couldn’t hear criticism.

“Because a lot of things happen in football. That celebration was personal,” Doué said “I try to wipe out all the noise from my brain and my memory. I have a lot of people who help me with this in my entourage.”

On Saturday, Doué netted after three minutes against Metz in Ligue 1 for his ninth goal this season.

He shot to prominence in last season’s Champions League final with two clinical finishes and an excellent assist in a 5-0 rout of Inter Milan. He netted in 16 games overall in a breakthrough campaign where he showcased excellent close control, extravagant skill and long-distance shooting.

“I’ve always been seen as a talented player but I’ve always worked very hard,” Doué said.

Much was expected of Doué but his season has been stop-start because of injuries. A calf strain in September playing for France and a torn thigh muscle in October in Ligue 1 have ruled him out for around 11 weeks altogether. ___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Désiré Doué is PSG's lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins | iNFOnews.ca
PSG’s Desire Doue, right, and Metz’s Alpha Toure challenge for the ball during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Désiré Doué is PSG's lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins | iNFOnews.ca
PSG’s Desire Doue scores his side’s opening goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Désiré Doué is PSG's lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins | iNFOnews.ca
PSG’s Desire Doue, second left, scores his side’s third goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
Désiré Doué is PSG's lucky charm because when he scores the team always wins | iNFOnews.ca
PSG’s Desire Doue, right, celebrates with PSG’s Bradley Barcola after scoring his side’s opening goal during the first-leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in Monaco, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Jerome Pugmire

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles