Kounde's Golden Opportunity to Prove Himself

The French national team is preparing to face Senegal in its opening match of the World Cup, in a match taking place at MetLife Stadium, where defender Jules Kounde is expected to start in the right-back position.

Kounde enters the tournament under significant pressure, seeing it as an important opportunity to regain his form after a fluctuating season with Barcelona during the 2025/2026 season, according to French and Spanish press reports.

Despite coach Hans Flick relying on him in a large number of matches, the player's performance has seen a relative decline with strong competition in his position, especially from Eric Garcia who has shown good form in the right-back position, along with the impact of injuries and inconsistent performance within the Catalan team.

Kounde hopes to utilize the World Cup to showcase his well-known defensive abilities, along with his contributions in building play and advancing offensively, which could strengthen his position within Barcelona's lineup next season or increase his market value in case of any future changes.

The French player had confirmed in previous statements, reported by Spanish media, that his full focus is on Barcelona, emphasizing that his contract extends until 2030 and that he wishes to continue with the club.

Kounde also admitted that his level last season was not at its best, expressing his desire to deliver a stronger performance during the global tournament.

Thus, the French defender enters the match against Senegal seeking a strong start that affirms his value as one of the key elements in both the French national team and Barcelona.