According to a report by Barca Universal on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Barcelona are hoping Jules Kounde will recover from his ankle injury in time to be included in the squad for Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid. The French defender missed Tuesday’s Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain, raising concerns about his availability for the highly anticipated fixture.

Kounde is currently dealing with a sprain to his left ankle, with his chances of featuring against Real Madrid depending on how quickly he improves over the coming days. Barcelona’s medical team will continue assessing his condition before making a final decision on his involvement.

The defender sustained the injury during Barcelona’s La Liga meeting with Real Betis last weekend. He reportedly experienced difficulties walking comfortably after the match, and medical examinations on Sunday confirmed the ankle problem. The setback subsequently ruled him out of the trip to face PSG.

However, according to SPORT, Barcelona have not completely abandoned the possibility of having Kounde available for the Clasico. The club intend to monitor his recovery until the final stages of preparation, although his chances of starting the match remain limited. If his condition improves sufficiently, he could still be considered for a place on the substitutes’ bench.

His potential return would provide an important boost for manager Hansi Flick, who is dealing with several defensive injury concerns. Andreas Christensen has been unavailable since September, while Eric Garcia is expected to spend four to five weeks recovering from an injury sustained against Betis.

These absences have reduced Barcelona’s defensive options during a particularly demanding period of the season. Gerard Martin featured against PSG despite reportedly experiencing ankle discomfort, while Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart were deployed in the full-back positions. Alejandro Balde also came on as a substitute late in the encounter.

Kounde’s experience and defensive versatility could prove valuable against Real Madrid, especially given the limited alternatives currently available to Flick. The defender had also been gradually receiving more playing time after losing his regular starting position earlier in the campaign.

Nevertheless, Barcelona are determined not to jeopardise his long-term fitness by rushing him back prematurely. A place on the bench appears more realistic than a starting role if he recovers sufficiently.

Flick will therefore await further medical assessments before deciding whether Kounde can participate. If the Frenchman fails to regain fitness in time, Barcelona will have to depend on their remaining defenders for the crucial Clasico encounter.