Barcelona’s Champions League exit continues to dominate headlines across Europe, not just for the dramatic nature of the result, but also for the storm of controversy it left in its wake.
The Catalan club were stunned by a stoppage-time equaliser from Inter Milan, crashing out 7-6 on aggregate in a match that many believe was riddled with officiating errors.
UEFA’s backing of referee Szymon Marciniak in the aftermath only intensified the outrage within the Barcelona camp, with head coach Hansi Flick and midfielder Pedri openly questioning key decisions.
The result not only ended Barcelona’s European dreams for the season but sparked a wave of emotional and, in some cases, speculative reporting in the Spanish media.
And now, defender Jules Kounde has found himself forced to intervene personally, after reports falsely attributed a damning quote to him.
The French international was alleged to have criticised teammate Robert Lewandowski during the game in Milan, with Catalunya Radio claiming he said: “I don’t know why Lewandowski is playing, he shouldn’t be playing in this condition.”
Jules Kounde wasted no time clearing the air and took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to shut down the rumour with a scathing post.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
He wrote: “Making up comments and telling tall tales is all well and good, but it’s not journalism.
“What’s also not journalism is transmitting information without guaranteeing its truth. Now, you can share the tweet if you want @laiatudel @CatalunyaRadio @sport and others.”
The 25-year-old’s strong reaction highlights the growing frustration within the Barca dressing room, not just over the exit but the stories that have since followed.
This isn’t the first time Kounde has used his online presence to publicly address speculation — he previously posted that he had never asked to leave Barcelona amid transfer rumours.
While tensions remain high at the club following their semi-final heartbreak, Kounde’s message is clear: he’s not going to let false stories go unchallenged.
As Barcelona look to regroup, the defender’s loyalty and transparency could be an important anchor in a turbulent moment for the club.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
