Since his arrival at FC Barcelona in the summer of 2022, Jules Kounde has established himself as a pivotal part of the team’s defense, contributing significantly under both head coaches Xavi Hernández and Hansi Flick. Kounde has made 121 appearances for the club after his transfer from Sevilla, with his most recent outing being in the Champions League match, where Barça played to a 2-2 draw against Atalanta at the Estadi Olímpic.
This number of matches places Kounde alongside another iconic French player, Thierry Henry, who also made 121 appearances for Barcelona after joining in 2007. Henry, a celebrated striker, spent three seasons at the club before moving on. Kounde’s impressive record, reached in just under a season and a half, places him sixth on the all-time list of appearances for French players at FC Barcelona.
In the ranks just above Kounde, Ludovic Giuly made 124 appearances, followed by defenders Samuel Umtiti with 134 and Clément Lenglet with 160. The top spots are occupied by Ousmane Dembélé, who has 185 appearances, and Éric Abidal, who holds the record with 193 appearances. At just 26 years old and with his contract extending until 2027, Kounde has ample opportunity to ascend this list and further solidify his legacy at the club.
This milestone emphasizes Kounde’s growing influence and the faith the coaching staff places in his abilities. His consistent performance suggests a bright future, not just for his individual career, but also for the Barcelona defense as they strive for continued success in domestic and European competitions.