Kounde Responds to Yamal's Provocation: "I'm Keeping That Phrase in Mind"

Jules Kounde has responded to comments made by his Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal, who claimed France isn't superior to Spain because they haven't beaten them "since the Euros." While avoiding overt irritation, the French defender admitted Yamal's words had resonated with him, especially considering a potential future clash between the two national teams at the World Cup in North America.

From France's training camp in Waltham, Kounde addressed the Spanish forward's remarks, stating, "The last few matches we played against Spain didn't go as we wanted. We're keeping that phrase in the back of our minds, or at least I am in mine."

The full-back, who shares a locker room with Yamal at the Catalan club, also spoke about the young forward's character. "I know he's a very strong player, an ambitious kid who speaks his mind," Kounde shared. Furthermore, Kounde downplayed the debate about title favorites: "Being a favorite in a competition doesn't mean much. It doesn't bother me; it makes me smile."

The response came after Yamal was asked if he considered France stronger than Spain. The 18-year-old winger was unequivocal: "They haven't beaten us since the Euros. How can they be better than us?" Previously, he had also asserted, "I don't think there's any team you can say, 'it's impossible to beat them,'" when questioned about title contenders.

Hours later, Yamal himself softened his tone from the Spanish national team's camp in Chattanooga. "The group stage means nothing, look at Germany," he noted, before clarifying: "France is playing at a very high level, they are in excellent form, they have good players, but I don't think they are above anyone. For me, no one is above the others."

The exchange of words between the two players has fueled anticipation for a possible clash between France and Spain in the World Cup semifinals, but both teams still have plenty of work ahead of them.