AFCON 2025
Barcelona have announced that defender Jules Kounde sustained a hamstring injury during their 3-3 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw against Inter Milan.
According to reports, the 26-year-old French international will likely miss the second leg in Italy next week and is a major doubt for the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid in LaLiga on May 11.
Kounde is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks but could return later in May for the final league matches, potentially in time for a Champions League final against either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain on May 31, should Barcelona advance past Inter at San Siro.
Before being rested in last week’s LaLiga victory over Mallorca, Kounde had played 86 consecutive games for Barça.
Eric Garcia replaced him against Inter and is the likely deputy, though Ronald Araújo, previously deployed as a full-back, and young prospect Hector Fort are also options.
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