France’s preparations for the UEFA Nations League finals have taken a hit with the withdrawal of defender Jules Kounde due to a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona centre-back, who is of Beninese heritage, will not be available for the semi-final clash against Spain.
Kounde has been managing the injury for several weeks, which also kept him out of the closing matches of Barcelona’s La Liga campaign.
Despite efforts to return in time for the tournament, the decision was made for him to step aside and begin rehabilitation.
His absence leaves a noticeable gap in Didier Deschamps’ defensive setup, as the French team gears up for a difficult match against Spain.
The winner of that fixture will meet either Germany or Portugal in the final.
While missing the tournament is a disappointment for the 26-year-old, it comes after an intense period of nonstop football.
Kounde reached the milestone of 100 consecutive competitive appearances for club and country earlier this year, underscoring his heavy workload over the past 12 months.
The enforced break may serve as a valuable opportunity for the defender to recharge before the 2025–26 season.
Barcelona will be hopeful of having him fully fit when pre-season begins, especially given his importance to the club’s defensive core.
