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Jules Koundé

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Jules Koundé
Koundé playing for Sevilla in 2020
Personal information
Full name Jules Olivier Koundé
Date of birth (1998-11-12) 12 November 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Right-back, centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Barcelona
Number 23
Youth career
2004–2009 Fraternelle Landiras
2009–2010 Cérons
2010–2013 La Brède
2013–2018 Bordeaux
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Bordeaux II 29 (1)
2017–2019 Bordeaux 55 (2)
2019–2022 Sevilla 95 (5)
2022– Barcelona 96 (4)
International career‡
2018 France U20 1 (0)
2020–2021 France U21 8 (1)
2021– France 42 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
UEFA Nations League
Winner 2021
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 2022
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:01, 19 April 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:41, 23 March 2025 (UTC)

Jules Olivier Koundé (French pronunciation: [ʒyl ɔlivje kunde]; born 12 November 1998) is a French professional footballer who plays as a right-back or centre-back for La Liga club Barcelona and the France national team.

Early life

[edit]

Jules Olivier Koundé[2] was born on 12 November 1998 in Paris[3] and grew up in Landiras, Gironde.[4] His father is Beninese and Koundé holds citizenship of both Benin and France.[5]

He began playing football at the age of six, in December 2004, with the Fraternelle de Landiras club. He became patron of the football school in 2018. He then joined Olympique de Cérons for the 2009–10 season.[6][7][8]

Koundé grew up with his mother. He has stated that during his youth, he struggled with his temper after poor performances from his local team, expressing "I'd be in a foul mood all weekend: atrocious behaviour. I got into such a rage that I ended up kicking my poor mum."[9]

Club career

[edit]

Bordeaux

[edit]
Koundé with Bordeaux in 2018

Koundé started in his first team debut for Bordeaux in the 2–1 Coupe de France away loss to Granville in the round of 64 on 7 January 2018, playing the full 90 minutes of normal time and the full 30 minutes of extra time.[10] He made his Ligue 1 debut for Bordeaux in a 1–0 away win over Troyes on 13 January 2018.[11] On 10 February 2018, Koundé scored the opening goal of a 3–2 Ligue 1 home win over Amiens; it was his first career Ligue 1 goal and his first competitive goal for Bordeaux's first team.[12]

Sevilla

[edit]

On 3 July 2019, he signed for Spanish club Sevilla. The transfer fee paid to Bordeaux was reported as €25 million.[13] In his first season at Sevilla, he helped the club win the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League for a record sixth time and was named in the competition's team of the season.[14][15]

Barcelona

[edit]

On 29 July 2022, Barcelona announced an agreement with Sevilla for the transfer of Koundé.[16] Koundé missed Barcelona's first match of the La Liga season against Rayo Vallecano as the club could not register him as they were over the league's salary cap limit.[17] He also missed Barcelona's second league match against Real Sociedad on 21 August for the same reason.[18] Koundé was registered with La Liga on 26 August,[19] and made his official debut for the club two days later in a 4–0 win over Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou.[20]

On 16 January 2023, Barcelona won the 2023 Supercopa de España, following a 3–1 victory over El Clásico rivals Real Madrid in the final, as Koundé won his first silverware with the club.[21] On 14 May 2023, he scored his first goal for Barça in a 4–2 win against Espanyol away at RCDE Stadium, a victory that secured Barcelona as La Liga champions.[22][23]

On 3 December 2023, Koundé scored only his second Barcelona goal in a 2–1 win against Osasuna away at El Sadar Stadium.[24] On 11 December, he made an assist to Robert Lewandowski in a 2–1 win against Deportivo Alavés at home.[25] Midway through the season, Barça manager Xavi had shifted Koundé from a center-back to right-back. Although initially opposed to Xavi's idea, Koundé decided to adapt his new position. He assisted a goal to Raphinha in a 4–0 win against Getafe on 24 February 2024.[26] On January 12, 2025, Barcelona played against Real Madrid in the 2025 Supercopa de España final, in which Koundé gave an assist to Raphinha to make the score 3–1, in a game which ended in a 5–2 win to give Barcelona the title.[27] A few months later, on 26 April, he scored the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final during extra time, securing a 3–2 victory over Real Madrid.[28]

International career

[edit]

Koundé was a member of France's squad for the group stage of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, starting in central defence in all three matches and captaining the team in the 2–0 win against Russia.[8]

On 18 May 2021, Koundé was selected by Didier Deschamps as part of the 26 players that formed the France national team for UEFA Euro 2020.[29] He made his debut on 2 June 2021 in a pre-tournament friendly against Wales, coming on as a substitute for Benjamin Pavard at half-time.[30] He made one appearance at Euro 2020, playing the full match against Portugal in Group F.[8]

On 10 October 2021, Koundé started and played the whole match as France defeated Spain 2–1 in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final.[31]

Koundé was a member of France's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he started five of the team's seven matches at right back as they finished as runners-up to Argentina.[8]

In May 2024, Koundé was named in France's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[32] At the tournament, he started all six matches for France at right-back,[33] and was named man of the match in their 1–0 victory over Belgium in the round of 16.[34]

Style of play

[edit]

Originally a centre-back in his Bordeaux days, Koundé was shifted to a right-back during his Barcelona days. He has shown quickness, as well as attacking and defensive work rates.[35]

Personal life

[edit]

Koundé has French and Beninese nationality.[36][37]

His uncle Charles Tokplé is a former footballer who played for the Togo national team.[38]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 30 April 2025[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bordeaux II 2015–16 CFA 8 0 — — — — 8 0
2016–17 CFA 2 15 1 — — — — 15 1
2017–18 National 3 6 0 — — — — 6 0
Total 29 1 — — — — 29 1
Bordeaux 2017–18 Ligue 1 18 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 19 2
2018–19 Ligue 1 37 0 1 0 3 0 10[c] 2 — 51 2
Total 55 2 2 0 3 0 10 2 — 70 4
Sevilla 2019–20 La Liga 29 1 2 1 — 9[c] 0 — 40 2
2020–21 La Liga 34 2 7 1 — 7[d] 1 1[e] 0 49 4
2021–22 La Liga 32 2 3 1 — 9[f] 0 — 44 3
Total 95 5 12 3 — 25 1 1 0 133 9
Barcelona 2022–23 La Liga 29 1 4 0 — 5[g] 0 2[h] 0 40 1
2023–24 La Liga 35 1 3 1 — 8[d] 0 2[h] 0 48 2
2024–25 La Liga 32 2 6 2 — 13[d] 0 2[h] 0 53 4
Total 96 4 13 3 — 26 0 6 0 141 7
Career total 276 12 27 6 3 0 61 3 7 0 373 21
  1. ^ Includes Coupe de France, Copa del Rey
  2. ^ Includes Coupe de la Ligue
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
  6. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ a b c Appearances in Supercopa de España

International

[edit]
As of match played 23 March 2025[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
France 2021 7 0
2022 11 0
2023 6 0
2024 16 0
2025 2 0
Total 42 0

Honours

[edit]

Sevilla

Barcelona

France

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Jules Kounde". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: France (FRA)" (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 12. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Jules Koundé". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  4. ^ "À Landiras, "l'immense fierté" après la sélection de Jules Koundé en équipe de France de football - ici". ici, le média de la vie locale (in French). 19 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Qatar 2022: Kounde: I want to be in France's starting line-up". FIFA (in French). 6 November 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Originaire de Landiras, Jules Koundé fait partie de la liste de Didier Deschamps pour l'Euro 2020". actu.fr (in French). 18 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  7. ^ "Gironde. Jules Koundé, l'enfant de Landiras, sélectionné en équipe de France Espoirs". actu.fr (in French). 28 August 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d "Jules Koundé - Fiche Joueur". FFF (in French). Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  9. ^ Hunter, Graham (2 August 2022). "Barcelona signing Jules Kounde ahead of Chelsea is a coup for the club and for LaLiga". ESPN. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Granville vs. Bordeaux – 7 January 2018". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  11. ^ "ESTAC Troyes / Girondins de Bordeaux". Ligue de Football Professionnel.
  12. ^ "Bordeaux continue to fly under Poyet". Ligue 1. 10 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Sevilla break club record". Football España. 3 July 2019.
  14. ^ a b Wilkinson, Jack (21 August 2020). "Sevilla 3–2 Inter Milan: Sevilla edge five-goal thriller for sixth Europa League crown". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  15. ^ a b "UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season". UEFA. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  16. ^ "FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC reach agreement on Jules Kounde transfer". FC Barcelona. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Jules Kounde not registered to play in Barcelona's La Liga opener against Rayo Vallecano". Sky Sports. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  18. ^ "Barcelona's new signing Jules Kounde not registered for second LaLiga game in a row". ESPN. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  19. ^ Ornstein, David (26 August 2022). "Barcelona register Jules Kounde". The Athletic. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Jules Kounde makes official debut". FC Barcelona. 28 August 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  21. ^ "First trophy of the Xavi era". FC Barcelona. 15 January 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Barcelona crowned La Liga champions after derby win". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. ^ Booth, Chuck (14 May 2023). "Barcelona clinch La Liga title over Real Madrid after bashing city rival Espanyol 4-2". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  24. ^ "Osasuna 1-2 FC Barcelona: Victory in Pamplona". FC Barcelona. 4 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Barcelona 2-1 Alaves: Robert Lewandowski scores twice as hosts fight back to win". 12 November 2023.
  26. ^ "Barcelona 4-0 Getafe: Defending champions move up to second with resounding victory". 24 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Real Madrid 2–5 Barcelona". BBC Sport. 12 January 2025.
  28. ^ "Barcelona edge Real Madrid in ET thriller to win Copa del Rey". ESPN. 26 April 2025.
  29. ^ "La liste des vingt-six Bleus" (in French). French Football Federation. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  30. ^ "France v Wales game report". ESPN. 2 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Spain 1–2 France: Les Bleus seal trophy with another comeback". UEFA. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  32. ^ "Les vingt-cinq Bleus pour l'Euro" [The twenty-five Blues for the Euro] (in French). French Football Federation. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  33. ^ "Jules Koundé - Statistics". UEFA. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  34. ^ "France 1–0 Belgium: Own goal sends Les Bleus into quarter-finals". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 1 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Ranked! The 10 best right-backs in the world". 25 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Bordeaux : Jules Koundé, une perle précieuse !". beninfootball.com (in French). 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  37. ^ "Retour sur le parcours de Jules Koundé, nouveau joueur professionnel des Girondins". Formation Girondins (in French). Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  38. ^ "Fiche Joueur: Jules Koundé". TF1 Info (in French). Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  39. ^ Jules Koundé at Soccerway
  40. ^ "Jules Koundé". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  41. ^ "FC Barcelona, Liga champions 2022/23!". FC Barcelona. 14 May 2023.
  42. ^ "FC Barcelona crowned Cup Kings in classic encounter". Real Federación Española de Fútbol. 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2025.
  43. ^ Baynes, Ciaran (15 January 2023). "Real Madrid 1–3 Barcelona: Gavi stars as Barca dominate to win Spanish Super Cup". Euro Sport. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  44. ^ "FC Barcelona win the Super Cup in a final for the history books (2-5)". Real Federación Española de Fútbol. 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  45. ^ "France beat Spain to win Nations League". UEFA. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  46. ^ McNulty, Phil (18 December 2022). "Argentina 3–3 France". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  47. ^ "LaLiga Santader Team of the Season". Electronic Arts. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Los Premios 'Team Of The Season' de EA SPORTSTM y LaLiga revelan a los mejores 15 jugadores de la temporada" [The EA SPORTSTM and LaLiga 'Team Of The Season' Awards reveal the best 15 players of the season]. La Liga. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
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