Jules Kounde backs Lamine Yamal to win Ballon d'Or over France team-mate Ousmane Dembele and names Champions League title as 'the goal' for Barcelona

Barcelona defender Kounde has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract that ties him to the club until 2030. The Frenchman also addressed the media after the signing, outlining the team’s ambitions for the coming season and sharing his views on the Ballon d’Or race between Barca starlet Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele.

Kounde’s remarks shine a light on two of the biggest narratives heading into the new season; Barcelona’s push for Champions League glory and the Ballon d’Or race between Yamal and Dembele. The 18-year-old was a driving force behind Barcelona’s domestic dominance last season, helping the Catalan giants to a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana treble. His creativity, goals and maturity well beyond his age have made him one of the brightest young stars in world football.

Meanwhile, Dembele has elevated his career to new heights since leaving Barca in 2023, inspiring PSG to a historic treble that included the club’s first-ever Champions League triumph. His dazzling false nine role and big-game impact made him crucial to PSG’s European breakthrough. Both men are strong Ballon d’Or contenders, with the award set to be announced on September 22.

The 26-year-old admitted Europe’s top prize is the ultimate target, saying: "Every time we start the season, we set goals, and when you're at Barca, and with the team we have and the season we had last year, the Champions League should be the goal, but it's not an obsession."

Pushed on whether Yamal or Dembele deserved the Ballon d’Or, he laughed and admitted: "You're putting me in a difficult position, but I'm going to be modest in saying that he deserves it, yes, he does," referring to Yamal. He added: "It's also true that there are other players who have had a good season."

Barcelona will soon begin their push for the Champions League under Hansi Flick, aiming to convert domestic dominance into European success. The Ballon d’Or will add another layer of intrigue, with Yamal and Dembele both in the running to claim the game’s most prestigious individual prize.