“I can try to understand people who say from their couch: ‘You earn a lot of money, so you have to play.’ My reflection is that we simply need a little more rest. We can play the same number of games, but we should have more rest during the holidays to try to regenerate the body, try to come back and withstand the burden of so many games,” Kylian Mbappe said at a press conference with France.

Even if playing 60 games a year is standard for an NBA player, who might compete in a little over 80 games, the difference in rest periods makes Kylian’s request quite reasonable. According to FIFPro, soccer players receive a four-week break after their season concludes. Meanwhile, NBA players can rest for three months or even longer. This clear difference underscores the justification behind Mbappe’s words.

Kylian delved deeper into the conversation, emphasizing that an increased number of games does not necessarily translate to a better spectacle. He remarked, “I don’t remember seeing a soccer player who has played 60 games in a season at the highest level. I’ve seen some who are considered the best players in history, others who are perhaps a step below, but I’ve never seen a soccer player play 60 games at his best.”

Not only Kylian: Other soccer stars also voice concerns over intense match schedules

Although Kylian Mbappe is the latest player to speak out about FIFA‘s demanding schedule, he is not the first to raise concerns on the matter. Following the announcement of the 2025 Club World Cup, critics, including head coaches like Enzo Maresca and prominent players, quickly expressed their dissatisfaction over the minimal rest period after the season’s end. In response, two more soccer stars have echoed these critics.

Jules Kounde, star player for Barcelona and France, also decided to express his opinion about the high intensity of the professional schedule. “Sometimes in life, when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. That’s what’s happening with soccer — it’s overconsumption… These are things we need to put into perspective and I think they need to change.”

Rodri Hernandez, the latest Ballon d’Or winner, expressed dissatisfaction with the intense schedule in September 2024. “I think it’s too much. Someone has to look after us, because we are the protagonists of this sport, or business, or whatever you want to call it. It’s not all about money or marketing, it’s also about the quality of the spectacle… When the number of games increases, their performance and quality decrease.“

Kounde produced a sensational goal from outside the box after intercepting a poor pass from Luka Modrić. He fired a low, powerful shot that curled inside Thibaut Courtois’ left post, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance to make the save.

The match proved to be a thrilling, hard-fought contest filled with goals on both sides. In addition to Jules Koundé’s late heroics, Barcelona saw contributions from Pedri, who scored a spectacular strike from outside the box, and Ferran Torres, who capitalized on a poor clearance from Thibaut Courtois to notch the second goal.

For Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé delivered a stunning free-kick goal, placing the ball inside the near post after drawing a foul from Frenkie de Jong. Later, Aurélien Tchouaméni leveled the match dramatically with a header off an Arda Güler corner kick, sending the game into extra time.

Watch Kounde’s decisive goal here:

What does this result mean for both clubs?

For Barcelona, it signals a season of redemption and a powerful statement of intent. With this victory, the club keeps alive its dream of securing a treble — a feat few envisioned possible following Lionel Messi’s departure. Including this Copa del Rey triumph, Barcelona now boasts four major trophies since Messi’s exit.

It also sends a strong message that Barça’s future remains bright, with a squad packed with promising young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pedri. The club now turns its attention to Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan, where they remain favorites to advance.

And what’s next for Real Madrid?

For Madrid, the loss is a crushing blow. It highlights that having star power alone is no guarantee of silverware. Despite the arrival of marquee signing Kylian Mbappé, what was once considered one of the club’s most promising seasons has now ended in deep disappointment for Los Blancos supporters.

France arrived to this Round of 16 game with the main objective of showing what they are capable of. The 2018 FIFA World Cup champions has a tough group stage, but they managed to advance as leaders in order to face Poland in the next round.

For this game, Didier Deschamps made some changes in his starting 11, including Jules Kounde. The defender was spotted using chains, which FIFA does not allow, but what is the rule about wearing them in-game?

Jules Kounde’s chains: Does FIFA allow them in-game?

France’s defense is one of the most dominant in this FIFA World Cup. They have tons of huge names available for this zone and Jules Kounde is one of those. Now, the center back was spotted wearing something unusual for a soccer player.

During the Round of 16 game against Poland, the center back started for France. While running, his chains came out of his jersey and of course everyone started talking about it.

FIFA does not allow these items on the field. According to their rules, soccer players must not use chains, bracelets, rings, earings, or any kind of jewelry during the games. It is also prohibited to attach them to the body with any kind of tape.

First, the referee will ask the player to take them off. If they refuse to, they will receive the yellow card and won’t be allowed to return until they don’t have it anymore.

During the game against Poland, Jules Kounde was spotted using two chains on his neck. Before the break, France’s coaching staff helped him to take them off in order to avoid a punishment.

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The Catalans have secured the signings of top players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, and Jules Kounde. On top of that, they pulled off a contract extension for French starOusmane Dembele.

Therefore, Barcelona may finally have what it takes to get back to glory days. However, they have yet to register their new signings. Though the club is hopeful to do so soon, one player may not make it on time for the season opener.

Report: Barcelona may register all their signings except Jules Kounde for Matchday 1

According to Javier Miguel of Spanish outlet As, Barcelona will probably register all their new signings except Jules Kounde for the opening game of the 2022-23 season against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

After striking a deal with Orpheus Media, the club is optimistic that La Liga will let them register their new signings, as well as Sergi Roberto and Dembele, who are playing under new contracts this campaign.

Kounde, however, may not be registered on time. The former Sevilla defender is the last player to join the club, which is why he runs from behind the other signings. In addition, he is coming back from a pubic surgery.

Barca reportedly are still waiting for La Liga to give the green light to their new players’ registration in order to make room for Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso. Meanwhile, the future of Frenkie de Jong remains unclear.

Club icon Xavi Hernandez seems to be just one step away from taking the helm at Camp Nou and he knows he’ll have a tough job ahead of him. Barcelona have been struggling to get results and their performances on the field have left a lot to be desired.

Besides, El Blaugrana are facing a delicate financial situation that has also prevented them from building a more competitive squad in the summer. But Xavi reportedly has a shortlist of potential signings anyway, hoping that the club can make them possible.

Paul Pogba reportedly headlines Xavi’s shortlist for Barcelona

According to El Nacional, Xavi wants to land Paul Pogba at the end of the season, when his current deal with Manchester United expires. It seems unlikely he’ll extend his stay at Old Trafford, althoughit doesn’t look easy for Barca as Juventus, Real Madrid, and PSG would also go after him.

As long as he doesn’t sign a new deal with the Premier League giants, it would be feasible for Barca as they’d only have to take care of his contract and signing bonus. The other targets on Xavi’s wishlisht, on the other hand, look more complicated.

The Spanish outlet claims Erling Haaland also appears on this list, but Barca would be unable to afford his €75m release clause next summer. If they raise the funds, though, they might have a shot as his agent Mino Raiola has a good relationship with Laporta.

Dani Olmo, on the other hand, seems to have more chances of landing at Camp Nou in winter. Barcelona made a late bid to sign him on the transfer deadline day in the summer but Leipzig weren’t satisfied. Olmo, who emerged from La Masia, is understood to be looking forward to joining Barca, so it remains to be seen whether the club can place the right bid or if Leipzig accept a loan with an option to buy.

And last but not least, El Catalan also claims thatJules Kounde is part of this shortlist. However, the price tag Sevilla set for himlooks practically unaffordable, as the La Liga rivals want at least €80m. Chelsea are also interested in him after failing to materialize a deal in the last transfer window.

But far from being satisfied with their continental glory a few months ago, expectations at Stamford Bridge are even higher for 2021-2022 and there’s not room for anyone in the squad. That’s why they offloaded Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, among others.

Chelsea, meanwhile, completed the return of Belgian superstar Romelu Lukaku to give a huge upgrade to their attack, and they wouldn’t stop there. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues could go back into the transfer market to sign these two players:

Jules Kounde

Tuchel would welcome the arrival of a dependable center-back to have more depth and competition for the starting role. Sevilla center-back Jules Kounde seems to be Chelsea’s target for the defense.

At 22 years of age, the Frenchman has a bright future ahead of him and that’s why the Blues would be eager to land him. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is $66 million, so the English side might need to spend a huge fee again.

Saul Niguez

The Spanish midfielder has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid over the summer, with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool heavily linked with him.

But now it might be Chelsea who set their sights on Saul Niguez, whom the Colchoneros would be open to selling. In the meantime, he has started for Diego Simeone‘s side in La Liga opener against Celta.