Désiré Doué Shines Against Belgium: “Like Watching Michael Jordan,” Says Stéphane Jobard

How Doué Commanded the French Attack in Brussels

Head coach Zinédine Zidane made nine changes from the side that defeated Turkey 1–0 just days prior, including handing three players their senior international debuts. Operating alongside former club teammate Bradley Barcola and Esteban Lepaul, the PSG winger provided constant danger in the final third.

Doué nearly opened the scoring early, rattling the crossbar in the 12th minute following a mazy run that left the Belgian defense scrambling. He continued to test the hosts throughout the match, coming close again in both the 51st and 58th minutes. Though his finishing ultimately eluded him, his ability to force the Belgian backline deep and create operating space for his teammates earned widespread recognition.

Stéphane Jobard’s High Praise and the Michael Jordan Comparison

The performance left a profound impression on Stéphane Jobard, who served as assistant to Rudi Garcia during his tenure leading the Belgian national team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“He put in an XXL performance, it’s pure class, with an incredible speed of execution in tight spaces,” Jobard said of the winger’s display. Drawing an eye-catching parallel to American sports history, the former Dijon and Boulogne manager added: “Every time I see him play, I feel like I’m watching Michael Jordan. I’m waiting for a magic trick every time he touches the ball, I was blown away by his performance.”

Jobard acknowledged that observers focusing purely on the scoresheet might want more from a final product, but emphasized that Doué functions as the ultimate catalyst. “He’s the one who makes the entire Belgian defense back up, who offers spaces to the others. He played a match of very high level,” Jobard noted.

Zidane’s Tactical Gamble Pays Off

Beyond individual brilliance, Jobard expressed astonishment at how quickly Zidane’s makeshift squad coalesced on the pitch. Making nine changes from the previous outing left Les Bleus with virtually no shared match experience, yet the collective cohesion surprised opposing observers.

“I was blown away by the collective dimension of this team when there was almost no shared experience,” Jobard admitted regarding France’s disciplined execution.