Jules Kounde’s struggles for form continued on Thursday night as France lost to Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up.
The Barcelona defender admitted before the game that he’s been under-par this season but started the match for Didier Deschamps’s side.
France went on to lose 2-1 despite taking the lead through Rayan Cherki. Goals from Guela Doue and Amad Diallo secured the win for the Elephants.
RMC Sport rated the players after the match and gave Kounde the lowest score of all.
“Jules Koundé: 3. A difficult match for Koundé, who missed a clear chance through the middle early on and gave the ball away dangerously in the 43rd and 66th minutes... He did make a few good interventions, though. He wasn’t as involved in the first half, but a bit more in the second, where he sometimes rushed things. He was replaced by Gusto in the 67th minute.”
Kounde is now heading to World Cup 2026 amid continued speculation about his future. The defender says he wants to stay at Barcelona and will be hoping he can get back to his best with Les Bleus.