Footballers are not role models – Franco-Beninese defender Jules Kounde

France international of Benin descent Jules Kounde, has scowled at football fans who look up to footballers by imitating their lifestyle because he feels that choosing them as role models isn’t the ideal thing for a football fan.

Kounde, who plies his trade for Spanish giants, Barcelona in an interview disclosed footballers can live comfortably for six months or more without salaries, downplaying role model tags for footballers.

“Footballers can go six months or even a year without a salary and still live comfortably, without any real consequences for themselves…

Unlike people who leave home at 7 in the morning and return at 8 in the evening just to earn a modest sum for their families…

I don’t understand why fans see footballers as role models. I wouldn’t recommend it. A real role model is a father who works hard every day for his family,” Koundé said.

Koundé joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022 for €50 million. This season, he has played 14 matches for the Blaugrana, providing one assist.

Meanwhile, his current contract with the Spanish giants runs until 2030.