Everything to know about the stylish Jules Kounde, including his club and national team career, impeccable fashion taste and personal life.
Who is Jules Kounde?
Jules Kounde is a French professional footballer renowned for his speed, strength, and tactical awareness on the pitch and elegance off it.
Although he currently plays as a centre-back for La Liga giants, Barcelona, the defender began his youth career at Fraternelle de Landiras in 2004 before moving to Cerons in 2009.
In 2013, he joined the youth academy of Bordeaux and made his professional debut for the club in 2018, before quickly establishing himself as a key player.
Kounde’s impressive performances earned him a move to Sevilla in 2019, where he continued to shine, helping the club win the UEFA Europa League in 2020.
His consistent displays attracted the attention of Barcelona, who secured his services in 2022 despite Chelsea’s interest.
Kounde has also represented France at various youth levels and made his senior international debut in 2021.
He was part of the French squad that won the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and reached the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
How old is Jules Kounde? (Jules Kounde Age)
Jules Kounde is 26 years old. He was born on November 12, 1998.
Jules Kounde Height
Jules Kounde is 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres) tall.
While this might not be considered exceptionally tall for a centre-back, the Frenchman’s strength, athleticism, and jumping ability more than compensate for it.
Where is Jules Kounde originally from?
Although Jules Kounde was born in Paris, his father's Beninese roots mean the defender is originally from Benin.
While born in Paris, he spent most of his childhood in Landiras, a small town near Bordeaux in southwestern France.
Here, he started his football career, playing for local youth clubs before joining the Bordeaux academy.
Jules Kounde Club Career
Jules Kounde’s club career has been a steady rise to prominence, marked by key contributions to team successes and a growing reputation as one of the most admirable defenders in the world.
His football journey began at the youth level with Fraternelle Landiras in 2004, and he progressed through various youth teams before joining the prestigious Bordeaux Academy in 2013.
His hard work and talent paid off when he made his senior debut for Bordeaux in a Coupe de France match against Granville in January 2018.
He soon made his Ligue 1 debut and scored his first goal in the league, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
In July 2019, Kounde's impressive performances earned him a move to Sevilla for a reported €25 million. This marked a significant step up in his career, and he quickly adapted to the demands of La Liga.
During his first season with Sevilla, the Frenchman played a crucial role in their Europa League triumph in 2020, showcasing his defensive prowess in the team's success.
His performances earned him a spot in the Europa League's team of the season and attracted interest from top European clubs.
Kounde's impressive displays at Sevilla led to a high-profile transfer to Barcelona in July 2022 for a fee of €55 million, signing a five-year contract.
Although his debut was delayed due to the club's financial fair play issues, the defender eventually made his first appearance and quickly established himself as a key player for the Catalan giants.
He has contributed significantly to Barcelona's successes, including winning the La Liga title in the 2022-23 season and the Supercopa de Espana in 2023.
Jules Kounde to Chelsea
Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £51 million bid for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde in the 2025 January transfer window.
Kounde was a target for the West London in 2022, but he opted to join Barcelona after being persuaded by then-manager Xavi Hernandez.
Despite this, Chelsea have reportedly renewed their interest and see the versatile defender as a potentially pivotal player.
However, they are also considering alternative options if a deal for Kounde cannot be reached.
Jules Kounde International Career
Since making his France debut against Wales in June 2021, Jules Kounde has become a regular presence in the squad.
Although he played just once in Didier Deschamps' Les Blues side at Euro 2020 (held in 2021), he featured from the off five times at the 2022 World Cup, starting at right-back.
He was also a key member of the French team that won the 2021 Nations League, playing the entire final against Spain.
At Euro 2024, Kounde started all six matches at right-back and earned the man of the match award in their victory over Belgium in the round of 16.
His defensive versatility and ability to contribute to the attack make him a valuable asset for France.
Which position does Jules Kounde play?
Jules Kounde is primarily a centre-back; however, he is known for his versatility and can also play effectively as a right-back.
This adaptability has been a valuable asset for his club and country, allowing them to utilise him in different defensive positions depending on the situation.
Jules Kounde Stats
According to Transfermarkt, Jules Kounde has 308 senior club appearances for Bordeaux (70), Sevilla (133) and Barcelona (105) as of November 2024, finding the back of the net 18 times.
Kounde has featured 36 times for the France national team.
Jules Kounde Achievements
Sevilla
UEFA Europa League: 2019–20
Barcelona
La Liga: 2022–23
Supercopa de Espana: 2023
France
UEFA Nations League: 2020–21
Individual
UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2019–20
La Liga Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
Jules Kounde Salary
According to Capology, Jules Kounde earns €260,577 weekly at Barcelona, with €13 million due to the defender per season.
As of November 2024, the Frenchman is Barca's fourth-highest earner.
Jules Kounde Value
According to Transfermarkt, Jules Kounde's market value is €55 million as of November 2024.
This is ranked No. 76 in the world, 20th in LaLiga and 8th in the Barcelona squad.
Jules Kounde Parents
Jules Kounde's father is Beninese, and his mother is French. He grew up primarily with his mother.
Is Jules Kounde Married?
No, Jules Kounde is not married. However, he is reportedly in a relationship with French beauty queen Flora Coquerel, according to Tribuna.
Jules Kounde Net Worth
Jules Kounde's net worth is estimated to be between $5 and 10 million.
Most of his wealth comes from his salary as a professional footballer, sponsorship deals, endorsements and bonuses.
Jules Kounde Outfits
Jules Kounde is renowned for his impeccable style, often blending streetwear with high-fashion elements.
He frequently sports brands like Off-White, Nike, and Balenciaga, favouring neutral colours like black, white, grey, and beige.
Jules Kounde Social Media
Jules Kounde's social media posts typically showcase his life on and off the field.
He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @jkeey4, Instagram @jkeey4 and TikTok @jkeey4.
As of November 2024, he has 834,500 followers on X, over 4,400,000 on Instagram and 697,200 on TikTok.