Desire Doue labelled as 'Neymar reincarnated' by Tottenham Hotspur player before incredible rise at Paris Saint

Desire Doue labelled as 'Neymar reincarnated' by Tottenham Hotspur player before incredible rise at Paris Saint-Germain

Published 31/05/2025 at 12:48 GMT+1

Paris Saint-Germain's Desire Doue was described as "Neymar reincarnated" by Djed Spence, according to Rio Ferdinand, who was discussing the forward ahead of the UEFA Champions League final. The 19-year-old has lit up Europe this season, contributing decisive moments in his side's run to Munich, and former Manchester United defender Ferdinand believes the youngster has got "huge potential".

Doue on idol Neymar, settling at PSG and playing a Champions League final at 19

Video credit: TNT Sports

Paris Saint-Germain winger Desire Doue was labelled "Neymar reincarnated" by Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The 19-year-old has impressed since arriving at the French champions in the summer, scoring 13 goals in all competitions this season.

The forward has been influential in his side’s run to the UEFA Champions League final, converting the decisive penalty against Liverpool in the last 16 before scoring the equaliser in the quarter-final first leg against Aston Villa.

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Former Manchester United defender and TNT Sports pundit Ferdinand believes Doue has huge potential, but was first made aware of the prodigious talent by Spence, who gave high praise to the teenager.

Speaking on TNT Sports’ Champions League Final Preview Show, Ferdinand said: "I sat with Djed Spence, and I said: ‘Give me a young player’s name, up and coming, we might not have spoken about.’ This was a few months ago.

"I didn’t realise he [Spence] went on loan to Rennes a couple of years ago, and he said: ‘I was with Doue there…Rio, this is like Neymar reincarnated.’"

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Ferdinand added: "At the time, he wasn’t [in the] knockout stages yet, I was like: ‘Alright, steady a little bit.’ But then I started seeing him and watching him a little bit, I was like: ‘He ain’t too far off.’

"He’s got huge potential, and I don’t know where his ceiling is."

It comes after Doue revealed that Neymar was one of his main footballing inspirations, often modelling his game on the Brazilian as a youngster.

Ahead of the final with Internazionale, the winger told TNT Sports: "I’ve always been inspired by Neymar, [Lionel] Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, different types of players and different personalities.

"As a kid, Neymar was always my favourite, and I would always try to recreate his moves. I just try to play my football and be myself on the pitch, doing what comes to mind at each moment and in each phase of play."

'He's always had Ballon d'Or talent'

Doue is one of a number of forwards to thrive under Luis Enrique this season, with Ousmane Dembele enjoying arguably the best season of his career.

The Frenchman has scored 33 goals this campaign, with eight of those coming in the Champions League, and has netted 25 times this calendar year alone.

The 28-year-old was dropped for PSG’s visit to Arsenal in October after his manager was dissatisfied with his work-rate in a Ligue 1 game, but bounced back from the setback to become an integral figure in his side’s treble-chasing season.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

The Preview Show panel have been impressed by Enrique’s lack of preferential treatment for the bigger names, and how he has got the most out of the likes of Dembele this season.

Ferdinand said: "Luis Enrique, I saw a clip of him talking to Kylian Mbappe one time and saying about influencing your team-mates and working hard.

"He didn't get the response he wanted… see you later. And look at the transformation in the team now."

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves added: "And look at what he’s turned Dembele into now. As a false nine, we always criticised his finishing. Mbappe’s goals have gone, but Dembele’s scoring them, and he couldn’t really score before.

"He’s always had Ballon d’Or talent, at Dortmund coming through and then going to Barca [Barcelona]. You need to be in the right place, I think, with the right manager, surrounded by the right people."

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