Barcelona defender ruled out of UEFA Nations League semi-final | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde will miss the upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-final after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.

The Frenchman, who suffered a distal injury to the hamstring of his left thigh during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, has been left out of Didier Deschamps’ 25-man France squad.

This decision means Kounde will not be available for the semi-final against Spain, which is scheduled for June 5.

The news comes as a blow to the French national team, given that Kounde has been a mainstay in recent squads, offering defensive solidity and versatility whether deployed as a centre-back or right-back.

There is a silver lining for Barcelona

For Barcelona, however, this development brings a silver lining. Kounde will now benefit from a much-needed extended rest period, allowing him to fully recover from his muscle injury before the start of the 2025/26 season.

Jules Kounde will need more time to recover. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

With the new Spotify Camp Nou set to open soon and Hansi Flick preparing for his first full season, a fully fit Kounde will be vital for Barça’s ambitions in La Liga and Europe.

Interestingly, the France squad still features another Barça player, namely Clement Lenglet, who spent the season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

While Lenglet’s long-term future remains undecided, there is growing speculation that Atlético are keen to keep him permanently, provided an agreement can be struck with Barcelona.

His return to form during his loan spell has not gone unnoticed by Deschamps, and his inclusion could be a chance for him to re-establish himself at the international level.

Meanwhile, the French squad will rely heavily on Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele to lead the attack.