FC Barcelona confirmed on Friday that Jules Koundé has extended his contract until June 2030. A key figure in Hans-Dieter Flick’s defense, the French international is coming off a strong season with 53 matches and 4 goals across all competitions.
At 26, Koundé has become one of the cornerstones of Barça’s project, with a pivotal year ahead that could culminate in the 2026 World Cup with France.
But beyond football, Koundé made waves with powerful words about the reality of players’ lives. In a YouTube video, he challenged the idealized image of footballers, stressing the contrast with ordinary working people.
“I don’t understand why fans see footballers as models”
“Footballers can go six months, even a whole year without being paid and still live comfortably, without it affecting them at all… Unlike people who leave home at 7 a.m. and return at 8 p.m., just to earn a little money for their families,” he said.
The defender went further, questioning his own status as a role model: “I don’t understand why fans see footballers as models. The real role model is the father who works hard every day for his family.” Words that highlight Koundé’s desire to shed light on effort, dignity, and real life outside the golden bubble of professional football.
