After a remarkable individual season that saw him score 16, assist 16, and win a historical treble with Paris Saint Germain, the 20-year-old lifted the award one year after Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal claimed the iconic trophy.
He follows in the footsteps of fellow Frenchmen in Paul Pogba (2013), Anthony Martial (2015) and Kylian Mbappé (2017) as only the fourth player from La Hexagone to be awarded the honour.
Yamal was ineligible to retain the prize under Tuttosport’s one-win rule and instead came close to winning the Ballon D’or behind Doue’s teammate Ousmane Dembele.
PSG’s treble included the Champions League, the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup. Unfortunately, the side lost in the Club World Cup final to Chelsea, but Doue’s accomplishments and contributions were enough to be handed the award.
He beat out a number of nominees including Arda Güler and Dean Huijsen of Real Madrid who may step up and claim the award next year as now Doue, much like Yamal, is now ineligible.
Lionel Messi (who won in 2005), Kylian Mbappé (2017) and Erling Haaland (2020) have also won the award as his name is added to a list of world-class players who he will seek to take inspiration from.