Replacing a lackluster Ousmane Dembélé in the 27th minute, the young talent scored a crucial double and assisted Achraf Hakimi’s goal. However, it was not just his on-field performance that caught attention but his celebration — hands on ears — which sparked a heated discussion on After Foot’s show this Tuesday night.

The significance of Doué’s gesture according to Daniel Riolo

Daniel Riolo believes this gesture is significant and could disrupt the harmony within PSG’s locker room. He emphasized that recent criticisms of Doué’s behavior were not solely from the media but also implied by his teammate Ousmane Dembélé after the loss to Rennes. By mimicking the act of blocking his ears, Doué appears to send a direct message of defiance to his peers, a “be quiet” that, according to Riolo, might create rifts among players whose egos are inflated by social media.

“His response with hands on ears is inappropriate,” Riolo explained. “It suggests an unwillingness to accept criticism. If it were only media critiques, no issue. But this case is different as it’s coming from teammates. I like that he has character, I admire this player. However, it’s as if he’s telling Dembélé: ‘be quiet’.“

Emmanuel Petit steps in to defend the 22-year-old player

Conversely, Emmanuel Petit defended the 22-year-old, praising his prideful reaction. The 1998 World Cup champion believes this hint of arrogance demonstrates Doué’s commitment and his refusal to become a scapegoat while other key PSG players, like Nuno Mendes, face turbulent times without similar scrutiny. Petit argues that performance on the field is the ultimate truth, dismissing Riolo’s concerns over potential internal tension.

“You’re making a big deal out of his gesture,” he retorted. “I prefer seeing this: a guy with ego, touched in his pride, delivering such a performance. It shows he’s invested. If I were Doué, I’d feel hurt in my pride and ego, and I’d respond on the pitch. But in his shoes, I might feel like I’m the only one facing criticism. When I see Nuno Mendes’ first 15 minutes, he’s struggling, and I haven’t found him outstanding since the season began. Yet, most evade criticism. Name a player this season who is flawless. I’m all for criticism, but let’s be fair and criticize everyone equally.“

This tension highlights the current PSG paradox: a team capable of brilliance driven by young talents, yet constantly challenged by ego management under Luis Enrique. While Doué silenced his critics with skill, his attitude has opened a new discussion on hierarchy and mutual respect within PSG’s attack.