BREAKING NEWS: Jules Koundé, Barcelona’s match-winner, has officially handed back his Man of the Match award, stating, “I’ve given it to him — he truly gave everything for us to secure this win today.” The defender, who sealed the victory against Real Madrid, chose to honor a Barcelona teammate who earned an impressive 9.5/10 rating for his performance. And no — it wasn’t Lamine Yamal or Ferran Torres.

In a remarkable display of humility and team spirit, Barcelona defender Jules Koundé made headlines not just for his match-winning performance, but for his unselfishness after their dramatic 3-2 extra-time win against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final at Estadio La Cartuja, Seville.

Koundé, who scored the decisive goal late in extra time, showed that true leadership isn’t always about personal glory. Instead of keeping the Man of the Match award he received, he chose to hand it over to a teammate he felt was more deserving of the honor.

The match itself was an intense, back-and-forth affair. Barcelona initially took control when Pedri opened the scoring. However, Real Madrid quickly responded with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, turning the game in their favor.

Ferran Torres later equalized for Barcelona, pushing the game into extra time. As both sides battled to gain the upper hand, a costly error from Madrid allowed Koundé to step up and net the winner in the 116th minute, sending the Barcelona fans into jubilation.

Yet, even after scoring such a crucial goal, Koundé humbly pointed out that the real star of the night wasn’t himself, or even goal scorers like Ferran Torres or young talent Lamine Yamal. Instead, he credited goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny for his heroic efforts between the posts.

Szczęsny made several critical saves, especially under relentless pressure from Madrid in the second half, ensuring Barcelona remained in contention long enough to seize victory in extra time. Koundé’s decision to honor Szczęsny highlights the defender’s appreciation for the often overlooked contributions of goalkeepers and defenders, whose efforts frequently go unnoticed compared to attacking players.

This selfless act underlines the strong sense of unity and mutual respect within the Barcelona dressing room.

It reflects a culture where collective achievement is prioritized over individual accolades, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and professionalism. Such gestures serve as valuable reminders of the importance of teamwork in football, where success is built on shared effort and sacrifice.

Barcelona’s hard-fought win secured their 32nd Copa del Rey title and boosted morale as they continue their campaign for more silverware. With the team displaying both talent and togetherness, many believe they are now strong contenders to chase a historic treble this season.