Jules Olivier Koundé, born on November 12, 1998, is a French soccer player known for his versatility as a center-back or right-back. He plays for Barcelona in La Liga and represents the France national team.
Early Life
Koundé was born in Paris on November 12, 1998. His passion for football emerged at a young age, setting the stage for his future success on the field.
Club Career
Bordeaux
Jules Koundé made his first-team debut for Bordeaux in a challenging Coupe de France match against Granville on January 7, 2018. Despite the team’s 2-1 defeat, Koundé played the entire 90 minutes of regular time and all 30 minutes of extra time.
His Ligue 1 debut occurred shortly after, with Bordeaux securing a 1-0 victory over Troyes on January 13, 2018. Koundé marked another milestone on February 10, 2018, when he scored his first-ever Ligue 1 goal during a thrilling 3-2 home win against Amiens. This goal was also his first competitive goal for Bordeaux’s senior team.
Read More: Alejandro Balde: Parents, Family, Siblings, Net Worth, Salary, Biography and Girlfriend
Sevilla
On July 3, 2019, Jules Koundé made a significant move to Spanish club Sevilla. The team paid Bordeaux a reported fee of €25 million for the talented defender.
In his debut season, Koundé played a key role in helping Sevilla clinch the UEFA Europa League title, marking the club’s sixth victory in the competition. His standout performances earned him a place in the tournament’s team of the season.
Barcelona
On July 29, 2022, Barcelona revealed they had reached an agreement with Sevilla for the transfer of Jules Koundé. Koundé was unable to play in Barcelona’s season opener against Rayo Vallecano due to the club exceeding the league’s salary cap limit, preventing him from being registered.
He also missed the second league match against Real Sociedad on August 21 for the same reason. However, Koundé was officially registered with La Liga on August 26, and he made his Barcelona debut two days later in a 4-0 victory over Real Valladolid at Camp Nou.
International Career
On May 18, 2021, Didier Deschamps included Jules Koundé in the 26-man squad for France’s UEFA Euro 2020 campaign. Koundé played his first game for France on June 2, 2021, in a friendly against Wales, coming on as a substitute for Benjamin Pavard at halftime.
Koundé began in France’s victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League Final on October 10, 2021.
Read More: João Cancelo: Bio, Career Info, Net Worth, Achievements, Endorsement and More
What are the backgrounds of Jules Koundé’s parents?
Jules Koundé’s mother is French, while his father is from Benin, giving him a multicultural background. His father’s roots are in Benin, a West African country neighboring Nigeria and Togo.
Jules grew up as an only child since his parents split when he was one year old. Following the separation, he and his mother moved from Paris to Landiras, a small village in southwestern France.
Koundé acknowledges his mother’s important role in his football career. She supported him throughout his journey and emphasized the importance of balancing his education with his love for the sport.
Jules pursued his studies until he completed his Baccalaureate, then shifted his focus entirely to his football career.
Read More: Éder Militão: Net Worth, Salary, Transfer Value, Endorsement and Career Highlights
Who is Jules Koundé’s girlfriend?
Jules Koundé has not shared any details about his past or current relationships. As of November 19, 2022, he is thought to be single. He enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and loved ones while keeping his focus on his professional football career.
Does Jules Koundé have children?
No, Jules Koundé does not have any children.
What should you know about his love life?
Koundé is believed to be single, with no verified information about any long-term or public relationships.