By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 08:24 EST, 24 February 2026 | Updated: 08:25 EST, 24 February 2026
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.
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)
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. ___
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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)
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)
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)
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)