Rothen questions Doue’s Ballon d’Or omission after PSG breakthrough

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Jerome Rothen has criticised the decision to leave Desire Doue out of the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, asking: “Are they blind, or do they not watch the matches?”

Doue’s omission was one of the most unexpected features of the list, particularly because Paris Saint-Germain have 10 players included among the nominees. The 21-year-old France international finished last season ranked 14th and won the Golden Boy award, but was not selected for the leading individual prize in world football.

The former Rennes player scored five goals in 13 UEFA Champions League appearances last season. However, he did not score from the second leg of the quarter-final onwards.

Rothen, who also played for Monaco, believes Doue deserved serious consideration for the award. He pointed out that the midfielder, like PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola, had also reached the World Cup semi-finals with France.

“Either they are blind, or they do not watch the matches,” Rothen said, as reported by RMC Sport. “Looking at Paris Saint-Germain’s campaign last year, if Desire Doue had been an average player, do you think he would have played all the important matches? Luis Enrique would have left him out, especially when the competition became tougher.”

The former France international added: “Doue always played in the important matches. Look at his performances all the way through to the Champions League final; he was often the player who made the difference. In the semi-final and the final, he was one of the best players.”

Rothen also questioned why other players had been selected ahead of the PSG midfielder.

“Is it logical to leave him out of the 30-man list and include other players?” he said. “Sometimes he makes unnecessary moves. Why does he do that? When someone feels superior, they may want to show off. They may try something complicated. That does not mean he has become arrogant or that he is a bad person.”

He continued: “Against Rennes in the opening round of Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain survived thanks to Ferran Torres, but luckily Desire Doue was there. He was the only one who had any energy. Why has he disappeared from the list?”

Alongside Ousmane Dembele, who won the Ballon d’Or last season, PSG still have 10 players competing for the award. The club’s nominees are Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Fabian Ruiz, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Marquinhos, Joao Neves, William Pacho and Ferran Torres, in addition to Dembele.

Spain are the best-represented nation, with six players nominated after winning the most recent World Cup in the United States. Their representatives include Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Rodri and Torres, who is now a new PSG player.

Lionel Messi also remains in contention for a ninth Ballon d’Or. The Argentina captain, an eight-time winner of the award and a World Cup runner-up with his country, announced his international retirement several days ago.

The Ballon d’Or shortlist has therefore prompted debate despite PSG’s strong presence, with Rothen arguing that Doue’s influence in the club’s most significant matches should have secured him a place among the nominees.