Jules Kounde (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde directly called out journalist Laia Tudel for spreading false quotes about Lewandowski, publicly denying media claims after Barca’s Champions League exit.
Jules Kounde has fiercely denied quotes attributed to him by Spanish media, taking to social media to call out a journalist by name for spreading what he called “fairy tales.”
Following Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, a report from Catalunya Radio and later Sport claimed that Kounde, watching from the stands due to injury, made a remark about Robert Lewandowski being subbed on in the 91st minute.
The alleged quote, "I don't know why he's playing, he's not able to do anything, he's not fully recovered", quickly made headlines. But the French international was having none of it.
In a sharp response, Kounde publicly called out journalist Laia Tudel—who first published the quote—accusing her and the media of spreading false information: “Making statements and telling fairy tales is good, but it's not journalism. Journalism is not the dissemination of false information presented as truth. Now you can freely share this tweet of mine,” Kounde posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Kounde tagged both Laia Tudel, Catalunya Radio, and Sport, accusing them of fueling a story with no factual basis. His post immediately went viral, earning support from many fans who applauded his firm stance.
Interestingly, Kounde did not travel with the team to Milan for the match. He flew commercial and returned separately, reinforcing his claim that he was not even present on the bench or near team discussions at the moment in question.
Barcelona’s heartbreaking loss saw them miss out on a Champions League final berth after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer and losing in extra time. Emotions have run high since the defeat, but Kounde made it clear that he won’t let false stories go unchallenged.