FC Barcelona have confirmed that defender Jules Kounde has suffered a thigh injury, adding to the team’s recent injury concerns. Unlike Alejandro Balde, whose hamstring injury will keep him out for around four weeks, Barcelona have not provided a specific timeline for Kounde’s recovery.
The club issued an official statement explaining that Kounde is dealing with an injury to the middle third of his left thigh’s biceps femoris. The statement added that his availability will depend on how his recovery progresses.
Kounde, a key figure in Barcelona’s defense, has played in all but one of the club’s matches this season. He started in the game against Atletico Madrid but felt discomfort in the back of his thigh within the first ten minutes. After receiving medical attention on the field, he was substituted, with Balde coming on to replace him.
Barcelona later confirmed that the injury involves Kounde’s hamstring, but they did not specify how long he will be sidelined. Sources, including Javi Miguel of AS, suggest that the injury is more serious than initially thought. Reports indicate that Kounde may have a tear in his hamstring and could be out for close to a month.
If this timeline is accurate, Kounde will miss important fixtures, including Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Newcastle United. He is also likely to be unavailable for several La Liga matches, including games against Athletic Club, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano.
Kounde’s absence adds to Barcelona’s defensive challenges following Balde’s injury. The team will now need to adjust its lineup for upcoming crucial matches. Both injuries raise concerns about squad depth and the ability to maintain defensive stability in domestic and European competitions.