Barca star’s shock admission: I lost my place because of my level.. and here’s what I’ll do to win it back!

He was one of the fixtures of Barcelona’s line-up for years, but this season he has found himself away from the pitch, with his starting spot handed to a teammate. Instead of complaining or blaming the coach, he came out with a frank admission that surprised everyone.

The star, who is living an unusual situation at his club and with his national team too, revealed himself the real reason behind his drop in minutes and sent a clear message to Barca fans about what he plans to do to win his place back.

The player in question is French defender Jules Kounde, 27, who spoke at a France press conference ahead of Monday’s clash with Belgium in matchday four of the Nations League, as reported by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Kounde was asked about his limited minutes at Barcelona this season, after Eric Garcia won the right-back spot from him. Far from complaining, he said: “It’s my coach’s decision. I feel very good physically. I don’t have any injury. If I have less playing time, it’s because of last season, when I was well below my standards.”

The Barca defender added: “It’s a consequence and a challenge that I gladly accept. I will have to work, which is what I normally do. It’s up to me to recover my best feelings. I know that when I am at my best, I will get playing time.”

Kounde’s situation has not changed only at Barcelona. After being an undisputed starter for former France coach Didier Deschamps, his role has shifted somewhat since Zinedine Zidane took charge of the national team.

He started and played the full 90 minutes in Zidane’s first game against Turkey on 25 September, but did not play a single minute against Belgium in the second round of the Nations League, nor against Italy on Friday in the third.

Kounde could regain his place in the starting line-up on Monday against Belgium, in the game at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, at 20:45.

On his first days under Zidane, Kounde said the French coach “is very close to his players, likes to talk both on and off the pitch, just like his staff. Everyone is ready to give advice to try to improve,” adding: “I don’t like to compare, but the coach works hard so that we are an aggressive team.”