In PSG’s 54-year history, their first-ever Champions League title was powered by a spectacular performance from French youngster Dijire Doué, who was named the Final’s Best Player.
Usman Dembélé earned recognition as the tournament’s Best Player for his consistent and outstanding contributions on PSG’s road to glory. Meanwhile, Dijire Doué took home the Best Emerging Player award after a brilliant display in the final.
At Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday, PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 to finally lift the elusive Champions League trophy. The next day, UEFA announced the tournament’s top performers across various categories.
PSG’s journey wasn’t smooth initially—they were on the brink of elimination early on, having lost three of their first five group stage matches and drawn one. However, a streak of three consecutive wins propelled them into the playoffs, where they dismantled Brest and knocked out Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal one by one before reaching the final. In the title clash, they overwhelmed Inter with a goal blitz.
Leading PSG’s attacking charge was Dembélé, who scored 8 goals and assisted 6 others across 15 matches. The 28-year-old right winger was the team’s top scorer throughout the tournament.
His first goal came in a thrilling 4-2 win over Manchester City in the group stage, which sparked PSG’s turnaround. He then scored a hat-trick against Stuttgart and netted two goals in the first leg against Brest in the playoffs.
Dembélé also scored against Liverpool in the second leg of the Round of 16 and netted once each in the semi-final first leg against Arsenal. He provided assists in both legs against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals and added another assist in the second leg against Arsenal in the semis. In the final versus Inter, he set up two goals.
Previous Champions League Best Players include Vinicius Junior (2023-24), Rodri (2022-23), and Karim Benzema (2021-22).
Doué, just shy of 20, was PSG’s hero in the final. He scored twice and assisted on the opener, earning the Man of the Match award while setting several records. Throughout the campaign, Doué shone brightly, tallying five goals and five assists in 16 appearances.
He scored and assisted within 24 minutes against Salzburg in the group stage, then repeated the feat in the second leg against Brest in the playoffs. He added a goal in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Aston Villa.
Doué had saved his best for last, practically single-handedly shaking Inter in the final.
Recent Champions League Best Emerging Players include Jude Bellingham (2023-24), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (2022-23), and Vinicius Junior (2021-22).
