Barcelona defender calls Maignan the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has labelled AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the best in the world ahead of France’s Euro 2024 semi-final.

Speaking to French channel Telefoot (via Radio Rossonera), the man who has been playing at right-back for France during Euro 2024 spoke incredibly highly of Maignan.

Didier Deschamps’ side has made it to the semi-final in Germany where they will face Spain on Tuesday night, with England or the Netherlands facing the winner in the final.

Maignan has been the starting goalkeeper in all of the matches, but France have not actually been as impressive as many expected them to be.

What is clear is that Kounde does not think Maignan is the problem in the team and spoke about how much confidence he gives the defenders ahead of him.

“For me he is the best goalkeeper in the world. He is someone who is decisive in the big moments, in the big matches. This is the case with the French team, but it has also happened in recent years both at Milan and Lille. He is a goalkeeper with great leadership, charismatic and it is an advantage for us to have him. That’s for sure,” Kounde said.

The defence has been the strong point of France and is the reason they have made it this far. Maignan has conceded just one goal which came in the group stage against Poland, but France have also only scored three of their own.

They needed a penalty shoot-out to get the better of Portugal in the round of 16.