"I would be lying to you if I told you that I love football" - Barcelona star makes bold comments as he talks about future
Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde has opened up on life after football, even claiming that he doesn't love the game anymore. Kounde said that he now considered football as only a job, which wasn't the case when he started playing professionally.
The 26-year-old is currently on international duty with France. Alongside his national teammates Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele, Kounde made remarks on his love for the sport and what the future holds after he retires.
During a discussion with The Bridge, Kounde said (via Football Transfers):
"I know I've become the man of the moment in terms of fashion. People want to see how I dress. My clothes are part of my personality. It is difficult because I have many interests.
"I want my family to be safe. I would also like to help others. I don't see myself being a coach, but I find the relationships between players and coach very interesting. It is too much stress. Being a coach is very complicated.
"I would be lying to you if I told you that I love football as much as before. Before it was my career, now it is my job. When I started, my life off the pitch was secondary."
Kounde has been a mainstay in Hansi Flick's Barcelona this term, making 17 appearances across competitions, scoring one and assisting two goals. Despite being a centre-back, the Frenchman has played at right-back throughout the ongoing season.
Barcelona star Jules Kounde's France teammates on their future
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde's France teammates, Tchouameni and Dembele, also opened up on their future planning during the same interaction. Surprisingly, the duo also do not see them continuing in the sport after they retire as players.
Dembele, who joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Barcelona last summer, said:
"I want to retire at 34. Then I want to get into the property business. Invest in Africa, in France."
Real Madrid midfielder Tchouameni said:
"After football, I want to focus on raising a family. When you stop playing, as [Thierry] Henry said, something inside you dies. I don't want to be linked to sport. I prefer to be a company director."
Tchouameni has made 15 appearances for Real Madrid this season, also playing as a centre-back as the club deal with multiple injuries to their defenders.
Dembele, on the other hand, has played 13 matches for PSG across competitions, scoring five and assisting seven goals.