This week saw the first legs of the 2025-2026 Champions League playoffs played (the second legs are on February 24 and 25). UEFA then organizes various votes among the fans. Paris Saint-Germain, who won at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday against AS Monaco (2-3), did not have a player in contention for the Champions League Player of the Year award. The competition was between Anthony Gordon (24-year-old striker for Newcastle), Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward for PSG), Patrik Schick (30-year-old striker for Bayer Leverkusen), and Kasper Hogh (25-year-old striker for Bodø/Glimt). Gordon won the award.
Doué was a strong contender for the win, having made a stunning debut in Monaco, scoring twice and providing the assist for Achraf Hakimi’s goal (the 27-year-old right-back). However, the quality of the competition must be acknowledged. Gordon’s four goals could well be memorable and given the edge. Such a performance deserves applause, even if two of them were penalties.
