Désiré Doué's absence from the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist has sparked fierce criticism from former France international Jérôme Rothen, who branded the omission inexplicable given the young PSG winger's standout season. Despite Paris Saint-Germain placing ten players among the nominees, the 21-year-old French talent failed to make the cut, a decision Rothen finds both puzzling and insulting.
A Season of Prominence Overlooked
Doué finished last campaign in fourteenth position in the previous year's Ballon d'Or voting and claimed the prestigious Golden Boy award, recognizing Europe's best young player. The former Rennes prospect delivered five goals across 13 Champions League matches, though his scoring streak dried up after the quarter-final stage. More significantly, he featured consistently in PSG's decisive encounters under manager Luis Enrique, a pattern Rothen believes speaks volumes about his quality.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Rothen didn't mince words: "Either they are blind, or they do not watch the matches. If Désiré Doué were an average player, do you think Luis Enrique would have selected him for all the important fixtures?" The former Monaco and Saint-Germain stalwart emphasized Doué's influence in high-stakes games, particularly noting his performances in the Champions League semi-final and final. "He is often the one who makes the difference," Rothen stated, questioning why such a consistently important performer was excluded while others gained entry.
The Broader PSG Contingent
PSG's representation remains formidable despite Doué's snub. Ousmane Dembélé, last season's Ballon d'Or winner, headlines the French club's nine other nominees:
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Achraf Hakimi
- Fabián Ruiz
- Nuno Mendes
- Vitinha
- Marquinhos
- João Neves
- Willian Pacho
Spain's World Cup-winning squad dominates the broader nominations with six representatives, including Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and new PSG signing Ferran Torres. Notably, Lionel Messi remains in contention for a ninth Ballon d'Or crown following Argentina's World Cup final run, despite recently announcing his international retirement. Rothen's frustration underscores how competitive this year's award remains, yet how scrutinizing voters have become regarding emerging French talent on Europe's biggest club stage.
