From Barça sub to France captain: Koundé gets Zidane backing | OneFootball

Jules Koundé is going through a very different situation with France and Barcelona. While the defender has started the season losing prominence in the Blaugrana side, Zinedine Zidane has shown his confidence in him by making him one of the captains of the French national team.

According to information from L’Équipe, the new France manager has already decided on the four players who will share the captaincy of the national team: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Adrien Rabiot and Koundé.

Koundé, among France’s leaders

Zidane’s decision places the Barcelona defender among the group of players tasked with representing the France dressing room during this new era under his leadership.

Koundé was one of the trusted figures during the last World Cup. The centre-back played all eight of France’s matches in the tournament, establishing himself as an important part of the team’s run, which ended in fourth place after losing to Spain in the semi-finals.

Now, with Zidane in charge, his international importance remains intact.

A very different situation at Barcelona

The contrast appears at club level. Koundé has started the season on the bench, losing his place in the starting XI to Eric García.

The situation marks a major change for a player who in previous seasons had been a regular presence in the Blaugrana defence. However, his reduced role at Barcelona has not changed Zidane’s assessment of him.

The new manager is keeping him within his inner circle and, on top of that, has given him a responsibility that goes beyond his performances on the pitch: being one of France’s captains.

Koundé will now have the chance to show with the national team that he still carries the influence he has temporarily lost at Barcelona, at a time when France are preparing for their upcoming international fixtures.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.