He’s simply had three begins on the World Cup in Qatar, and instantly France defender Ibrahima Konate appears to be like poised to be included within the beginning XI within the remaining towards Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
It has been an odd however profitable World Cup for Konate to date, discovering himself third-choice centre-back however clearly outperforming these forward of him.
The stats don’t lie. That truth he has averaged 6.9 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes to date in Qatar, essentially the most of any participant who has began three or extra video games exhibits that the Liverpool defender is within the type of his life.
Thoughts you, he’s the third-choice centre-back. Raphael Varane’s place as essentially the most senior starter on the again is comprehensible, however the gulf in output between Konate and his former RB Leipzig team-mate, Dayot Upamecano, has been huge.Subscriber Solely StoriesPremiumPremiumPremiumPremium
With Upamecano sidelined attributable to sickness on Wednesday evening, Konate was given a giant probability to shine once more, as he partnered Varane within the semi-finals. And he performed an enormous position in France’s 2-0 victory over Morocco.
The 23-year-old was unbelievably assured in his studying of the sport and seemed a stage above Upamecano, who did have a number of moments of shakiness within the England victory.
Ibrahima Konate had a contract till June 2023 with RB Leipzig. (Reuters)
He bullied Morocco’s attackers at occasions, producing very important interceptions, headers and tackles. He was additionally useful with the ball and arrange an enormous probability the place Olivier Giroud struck the submit after getting in behind.
It’s additionally fairly a narrative for a boy who solely wished to turn out to be knowledgeable participant however in a single yr, has performed the ultimate of the UEFA Champions League and can most certainly play the ultimate of a FIFA World Cup.
Konate left residence in Paris on the age of 14 and vowed to not return with out making it as knowledgeable footballer.
My dream at the moment was merely to be knowledgeable soccer participant,” Konate mentioned when Liverpool reached the ultimate of the Champions which was performed at Stade de France, 10km from the place he grew up.
“After I was 14 I didn’t have in my head the concept of being in a high membership. If somebody had requested me then at what age might you perhaps play for Liverpool I’d have mentioned 28, 29. At the moment the dream was to be taking part in professional. I couldn’t suppose past that.”
Youngest of eight youngsters born to immigrants from Mali, Konate grew up on a council property in Paris. He wished to emulate Brazil’s Ronaldo and would research the striker for hours on YouTube, however that dream pale when a youth coach at Paris FC suggested the younger ahead to turn out to be a defensive midfielder.
{The teenager}’s performances within the position attracted widespread curiosity and, shortly after turning 15, he moved greater than 400km to hitch Sochaux’s academy. It was there that the athletic midfielder with a fierce work ethic was transformed right into a centre-half, and first attracted the eye of Liverpool and Klopp.
In 2017, he signed for RB Leipzig. He had an honest time there, having made 66 appearances for them earlier than Liverpool got here calling final yr.
Since taking part in below Klopp, he’s improved tremendously, making him one of the vital feared full-backs.
However extra importantly, he’s begun to dream. Large.
“Now, I need to be the most effective central defender on the earth. And to win all of the titles going. Each one.”
He could haven’t received that Champions League title, however what’s larger than a World Cup?