Rio Ferdinand Hails Doue and Yamal as Successors to Messi and Ronaldo

Rio Ferdinand praised PSG’s 19-year-old Desire Doue after his brace in the 5–0 Champions League final win over Inter. He and Barcelona’s 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who had 18 goals and 21 assists this season, were named potential successors to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for their breakout 2024–25 campaigns.

With the biggest win ever in a UEFA Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain etched their name into history by defeating Inter Milan 5-0 at the Allianz Arena. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring before 19-year-old Desire Doue dazzled with a brilliant brace. Late strikes from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Senny Mayulu sealed a dominant victory and sparked wild PSG celebrations.

Following the match, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand called Doue a potential successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. Ferdinand praised Doue for playing with freedom and confidence in the final, while Yamal had already made his mark in Barcelona’s La Liga and Copa del Rey double-winning season.

Doue, who joined PSG from Rennes last summer, scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in 54 appearances. Yamal, only 17, delivered an even more staggering 18 goals and 21 assists in 55 matches. Despite Steven Gerrard warning against comparisons with legends too soon, Ferdinand argued that Doue and Yamal have “come out of nowhere” and outshone more established stars like Haaland, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr.