Featured Image Credit: The Overlap/Sky Bet / Getty
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, France, Olympics, Thierry Henry, Champions League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, France, Olympics, Thierry Henry, Champions League
Former France U21 boss Thierry Henry has revealed what Desire Doue kept doing at the Olympics that almost led to him being substituted.
Doue produced a player of the match display in the Champions League final on Saturday as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Inter Milan 5-0.
The 19-year-old scored twice and added an assist in Munich, before being taken off to a rapturous reception from his supporters, team-mates and PSG staff.
Advert
It was a remarkable performance from the forward, who became the second-youngest goalscorer in a final in the Champions League era.
Doue signed for PSG from fellow Ligue 1 club Rennes in August 2024, weeks after competing at the Olympics with France in Paris.
Henry's side won a silver medal, losing to Spain in the final, with Doue scoring one goal across the tournament.
Advert
But the former French boss revealed that he almost substituted Doue after he repeatedly did one thing during a match.
Speaking on The Overlap's Stick To Football, Arsenal legend Henry added that he gave the 19-year-old a crucial piece of advice both during and after the game.
"Desire Doue," he began. "We're in the semi-final of the Olympic Games and we're losing 1-0 against Egypt - we either go to the final, obviously, or we don't.
"I'm playing 4-3-2-1, and I was like, 'Right, I'm going to have to play with wingers out wide. I'm going to change the tactic'.
"Desire Doue comes on, and you all saw that he can dribble. He's strong. As soon as he gets going, there is no way you can stop him.
Advert
"So we take the risk to play out from the back to free you [Doue] in the one vs one. He passes it back.
"What the f*** are you doing? I might as well launch it. Why am I taking risks to play short, to free you in a one vs one, for you to pass it?
"He did it twice. I got up and said, 'If you do it again, you're out'. Take risks. Go. Why would you want to take that away from a player?
"Go, have a go. All I need is one [chance]. I said to Jamie [Carragher] Jamie stopped me way more than I passed him. But people will always remember [the one]."