Golden Boy 2025: PSG’s Deserving Star Shines Beyond The Spotlight
4 November 2025
Golden Boy Triumph and PSG's Season
French youngster Desire Douy, PSG's rising star, has claimed the 2025 Golden Boy award, prevailing in a fierce race among Europe’s brightest talents.
The Golden Boy prize, handed out each year by Tuttosport in Italy, honors the best young European player under 21.
According to the rules, a player cannot win it twice, which means Douy cannot reclaim the honor next year.
Last year's winner was Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, who lit up the previous season with standout form.
Douy, aged 20, earned the prize thanks to his stellar form with PSG last season and his part in the club’s historic treble.
His contribution helped PSG clinch the domestic league, the cup, and the Champions League — historic for the club.
PSG's Season, Injuries, and the Bayern Test
PSG began this campaign as reigning European champions, adding the UEFA Super Cup after a shootout victory over Tottenham following a 2-2 draw.
Nevertheless, the Parisians have battled injuries and uneven form, with a rocky start in the league and a tougher run in Europe.
After a rollercoaster opening, PSG beat Atalanta 4-0, edged Barcelona 2-1 in Spain, and thumped Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 in Germany, while stumbling with a 2-0 defeat in London to Arsenal and a 1-2 loss at home to Atletico Madrid, and a 0-1 defeat at Munich.
Under Louis Enrique, PSG rebounded to win all domestic and continental titles, including their first Champions League trophy.
With the season starting as reigning European champions, PSG added the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time.
PSG opened with three league wins, sitting atop the table with 24 points as Strasbourg, Marseille, and Lille chased closely.
Part of the pain came from the Club World Cup in the United States, where PSG reached the final but lost to Chelsea 3-0 in mid-July.
Enrique’s squad was hit by injuries across the pitch, with Douy sidelined at times, and Ousmane Dembele not fully fit, while Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi were rested in some matches.
In a press conference, Enrique stayed calm: I trust my team; we will play to beat Bayern and feed off our fans' energy; it will be tough but we are ready.
In the Bavarians’ form, Vincent Kompany’s squad came out blazing, with Harry Kane leading the line and a fearsome attack including Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry, while Luis Diaz arrived from Liverpool and Nicolas Jackson joined on loan from Chelsea; Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Jonathan Tah anchor the spine, with Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies sidelined by injuries.
PSG host Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday in the fourth group-stage match of the Champions League, as the two European heavyweights collide.
Douy logged 61 appearances for PSG across all competitions last season, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists.
Paris and Bayern are not merely rivals; this clash could define the season for both clubs as they push for front-foot dominance in Europe.
Paris’s attack has been hampered by form and fitness, while Bayern’s front line, led by Kane, Olise, and Gnabry, has looked lethal when fully fit. The match will test PSG’s resolve and Bayern’s relentless momentum.
With a big test looming, the stage is set for a European heavyweight clash that could shape the rest of the season for both teams.
Punchline 1: If talent were a transfer fee, Douy would be paying in euros and still getting change—PSG’s trophy cabinet might need an expansion plan.
Punchline 2: They warned us about the new kid—he arrived with tricks, goals, and a trophy; the goalkeeper filed for a restraining order against his own net.
