Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé has expressed his understanding and respect for Désiré Doué’s decision to represent France, despite the disappointment of losing out on the 19-year-old attacking midfielder’s services.
After much speculation, the suspense surrounding Doué’s international allegiance has been resolved.
The talented player, who was heavily courted by Ivory Coast for over two years, has opted to continue his international career with France, a choice he views as the natural progression of his journey, having previously represented the country from the U17 level through to the U21s.
Doué, who is currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain after developing through the youth ranks at Stade Rennais, has now firmly committed to Les Bleus.
His decision ends the hopes of the Ivory Coast national team, who had long pursued him due to his Ivorian heritage.
Emerse Faé, the coach of the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, reflected on the situation in a recent interview on the After Afrique podcast.
He revealed that the Ivorian Football Federation had been in talks with Doué and his representatives for almost two years, hoping to convince the rising star to join the Elephants.
Faé acknowledged the emotional complexity of Doué’s decision, especially considering his strong ties to both France and Ivory Coast.
“Over the past two years, we’ve had many discussions with Désiré and his entourage. We made our interest clear, and we made no secret of how much we wanted him to play for Ivory Coast.
But, ultimately, this was a decision he had to make himself. His heart was torn between representing Ivory Coast and France, and in the end, he chose France,” Faé said.
The Ivory Coast coach emphasized that, while the decision was disappointing for him and the national team, he fully respected Doué’s personal and professional journey.
“At the end of the day, football is a personal choice for each player, and we respect Désiré’s decision. He has a bright future ahead of him, and we wish him all the best,” Faé added.
The news marks the culmination of a saga that has kept both French and Ivorian football fans on edge. Doué’s unique position as a player with dual national ties — born in France to Ivorian parents — placed him at the center of a fierce battle for his international allegiance.
His decision to stick with France is seen as a reward for his long-standing commitment to the French youth national teams.
Despite the emotional disappointment for Ivory Coast, the country has plenty of emerging talent to look forward to in the years ahead.
Faé’s comments reflect a wider trend of globalisation in football, where young players of dual nationality increasingly find themselves at the crossroads of such decisions.
As Doué moves forward with France, the Elephants will now look to the future, focusing on strengthening their squad with players who are ready to commit to the team.
Faé remains hopeful about the long-term prospects of the Ivorian national team as they build towards future competitions.
For now, France has secured a highly promising player, and Doué’s decision closes the chapter on one of the most talked-about international dilemmas in African football.
