Jules Koundé’s unmatched run of consistency has come to a close after 104 straight matches for club and country.
The French defender, who hadn’t missed a single game since November 2023, was left out of Barcelona’s squad in their narrow 1-0 win over Mallorca not due to injury, but for rest.
Since arriving from Sevilla, Koundé has grown into a key figure at the back for Barça. Registered with La Liga on 26 August 2022, he made his debut just two days later in a 4–0 win over Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou.
On 14 May 2023, he made history by netting his first goal for the club in a 4–2 away win over Espanyol. That victory officially secured the La Liga title for Barcelona, underlining Koundé’s growing importance in the squad.
Now refreshed, Koundé is expected to return to the starting eleven for the highly anticipated El Clasico clash on Saturday, as the Catalans aim to add another Copa del Rey title to their cabinet.
