Barcelona’s Jules Kounde shares candid thoughts on the Ballon d’Or race and his injury struggles during a press conference with France.
Speaking ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, the 26-year-old reflected on his journey and the performances of his teammates, both past and present.
Last season, Jules Kounde faced significant setbacks, missing crucial matches, including the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, due to injury, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
He described the frustration of being sidelined after a high from Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid.
“It was frustrating to miss important games, especially since we were in the semifinals,” Kounde said. “My body just told me to stop.”
His absence in the second leg and the season’s closing stages was a bitter pill, underscoring the physical toll of a demanding campaign.
Shifting focus to the Ballon d’Or, Kounde was asked about Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal and former teammate Ousmane Dembele, now shining at Paris Saint-Germain. Refusing to pick a favorite, he praised both players’ remarkable seasons.
“Both deserve the award,” he stated, highlighting Dembele’s Champions League success and Yamal’s impact at Barcelona.
“It’s hard to choose because I’m not voting, but I’m happy seeing Lamine help us and Ousmane’s development at Paris.”
Kounde also addressed broader concerns about player workload, emphasizing the need for change in football’s packed calendar.
“Everyone in football is affected by this system,” he noted, calling for better consideration of players’ physical limits.
Looking ahead, he expressed excitement for Barcelona’s upcoming Champions League clash with PSG, a matchup fans hoped would be last season’s final.
“There’s history between the teams,” Kounde said, recalling past encounters.
His reflections reveal a player balancing personal challenges with optimism for the future, both for himself and his talented peers.
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