In a heartwarming display of humility and team spirit, Barcelona’s Jules Koundé has chosen to return his Man of the Match award to a teammate who, in his words, “played out his heart for us to get this winning today.” This gesture followed Barcelona’s thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, held at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. Koundé, who scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute, acknowledged that while he may have netted the winner, it was another player’s exceptional performance that truly turned the tide for Barcelona. The match saw Barcelona take an early lead through Pedri, only for Real Madrid to respond with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Ferran Torres then equalized late in the game, pushing it into extra time, where Koundé capitalized on a Madrid error to seal the victory. While Koundé’s goal was pivotal, his decision to hand over the Man of the Match award highlights the collective effort and standout performances from his teammates. Notably, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny delivered a remarkable performance, making crucial saves that kept Barcelona in the game during critical moments. His efforts were instrumental in ensuring the team remained competitive, especially during Real Madrid’s aggressive second-half surge. Koundé’s gesture underscores the ethos of unity and mutual respect within the Barcelona squad. It’s a testament to the team’s culture, where individual accolades are secondary to collective success. Such actions not only boost team morale but also set a precedent for sportsmanship and camaraderie in professional football. This victory marks Barcelona’s 32nd Copa del Rey title, adding to their illustrious history. With the team displaying such cohesion and determination, they remain strong contenders for a potential treble this season. As they continue their campaign, the spirit exemplified by Koundé’s selfless act will undoubtedly serve as a cornerstone for their pursuit of further glory.

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Jules Kounde, who secured victory for Barcelona, has now formally handed back the Man of the Match honor to *Him*, stating, *“He really played out His heart for us to get this winning Today.”* The MOTM prize was returned to a standout Barcelona teammate who earned a remarkable 9.5/10 rating — and it wasn’t Yamal or Torres.

Referee Ricardo De Burgos admitted, *“I had no choice… I needed the money. They offered me a good price, so I had to make the wrong decision against Real Madrid.”* This confession surfaced just as a shocking development emerged earlier today — all VAR officials who were part of the contentious Barcelona vs Real Madrid fixture were urgently summoned to a confidential session after suspicious activity was traced in various bank accounts linked to the case.

La Liga has now issued a strict disciplinary action against Antonio Rüdiger for his improper behavior toward the referee following the final whistle in the Copa del Rey clash against Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction, saying, *“I’m so happy that Arteta listened to my advice against Madrid and it work for Him,”* and further advised, *“my only advice for Him as they take on PSG tomorrow is that He should play this guy in the Midfield then they game will be like a walk over for them.”* Pep identified one key Arsenal player Arteta must deploy in midfield for tomorrow’s matchup.

A Manchester United icon extended his congratulations to Arne Slot and spotlighted a Liverpool player, saying, *“I knew right from day one that he was going to win, he has the same potentials as me and was able to do the unspeakable, I congratulate Arne Slot but the real reason behind their victory this season is that Liverpool player who’s always there for them when they need him the most.”*

Jurgen Klopp also reached out to Arne Slot with praise, stating, *“I must say, In all my years of coaching for Liverpool before I retired I’ve never seen such a thing like what Arne Slot has done with the club.”*

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FOOTBALL DEN also noted PSG’s ongoing efforts to acquire Marcus Rashford as talks around a £375,000-a-week contract at Manchester United appear stalled. This comes amid shifting interest from Real Madrid regarding a young Manchester City talent, possibly influenced by Vinicius Junior’s latest standout display — raising questions about whether the move was strategic or personal, and how it may affect both players going forward.

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