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Ibrahima Konaté
Konaté with France in 2026
Personal information
Full name Ibrahima Konaté
Date of birth (1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 27)
Place of birth Paris, France
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position Centre-back[2]
Team information
Current team
 Real Madrid
Youth career
2009–2014 Paris FC
2014–2017 Sochaux
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Sochaux II 9 (1)
2017 Sochaux 12 (1)
2017–2021 RB Leipzig 66 (2)
2021–2026 Liverpool 118 (2)
2026– Real Madrid 0 (0)
International career‡
2014–2015 France U16 12 (2)
2015–2016 France U17 7 (0)
2017 France U19 1 (0)
2018 France U20 1 (0)
2019–2021 France U21 13 (0)
2022– France 30 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up2022 Qatar
UEFA Nations League
Third place2025 Germany
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:13, 24 May 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:15, 18 July 2026 (UTC)

Ibrahima Konaté (French pronunciation: [ibʁaimˈa konatˈe]; born 25 May 1999) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Real Madrid and the France national team.

Konaté started off his professional career with Sochaux, and moved to RB Leipzig in 2017. After four years with the club, Liverpool signed him in 2021 for a fee of £36 million. He won the EFL Cup and FA Cup in his first season, and later won the Premier League title with the club in the 2024–25 season, exiting the club as a free agent in July 2026 to join Real Madrid.

After representing them at various youth levels, Konaté made his senior debut for France in 2022 and was a member of the team that reached the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

[edit]

Ibrahima Konaté[3] was born on 25 May 1999[4] in Paris.[5] He grew up in public housing in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, the second youngest of eight children born to parents from Mali.[6][7]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Konaté played as a teen for Paris FC youth teams.[8] When he was 14, he left for Sochaux and joined their boarding academy at the age of 15.[9] He started his career as a striker before moving to the defence, becoming a centre-back.[8]

Konaté made his professional debut for Sochaux in a 1–0 Ligue 2 loss to Auxerre on 7 February 2017, at the age of 17.[10]

RB Leipzig

[edit]
Konaté playing for RB Leipzig in 2019

After a successful debut season, with 12 games and 1 goal in half a season, Konaté joined RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on 12 June 2017 on a five-year contract by free transfer.[11][12][9] On 27 January 2019, Konaté scored his first Leipzig goal in a 4–0 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf.[13]

Liverpool

[edit]

On 28 May 2021, Premier League side Liverpool announced that they had reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to acquire Konaté on 1 July, pending international clearance and a work permit being granted to him.[14] The club had already agreed personal terms with the player in April,[15] and triggered his release clause of approximately £36 million in May 2021.[16]

On 18 September, Konaté made his Liverpool and Premier League debut, starting alongside Virgil van Dijk and keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory against Crystal Palace.[17] He made his second start of the season partnering Virgil van Dijk in the first Northwest derby of the season, in which Liverpool beat Manchester United 5–0. It was the heaviest defeat inflicted on United by Liverpool since 1895 and the heaviest defeat United had suffered without scoring in since 1955.[18] Konaté won plaudits for how he handled star players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, and featured in Garth Crooks' team of the week, with Crooks saying, "No frills or skills but he does use his power and strength to maximum effect."[19]

Konaté with Liverpool in 2021

On 5 April 2022, Konaté scored his first goal for Liverpool, a header in a 3–1 away victory against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg.[20] He scored again in the second leg at home on 13 April, which ended in a 3–3 draw with his side winning 6–4 on aggregate to progress to the next round.[21] Three days later on 16 April, he scored in a 3–2 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, helping Liverpool advance to the final.[22] Konaté later missed the beginning of the 2022–23 season through injury.[23]

Having not registered a goal since April 2022, Konaté returned to scoring ways on 17 September 2024 with a header in Liverpool's 3–1 away victory over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.[24] On 28 September, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 away win against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[25]

During the 2025–26 season, Konaté's performances have received criticism from the fans and media.[26] On 31 January 2026, after being absent for three games due to the death of his father, Konaté returned to the squad and scored a late goal in a 4–1 win over Newcastle United.[27]

On 20 March 2026, Liverpool released a statement that they are "appalled and disgusted" after racial abuse was targeted towards Konaté on social media.[28] On 31 May 2026, Liverpool announced that Konaté would depart the club in the summer following unsuccessful negotiations over a new contract extension.[29]

Real Madrid

[edit]

On 18 June 2026, Konate signed for La Liga club Real Madrid on a four-year contract.[30]

International career

[edit]
Konaté with France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Konaté received his first call-up to the senior France national team on 4 June 2022 for the UEFA Nations League, replacing Raphaël Varane due to injury.[31][32] He made his full international debut on 10 June in a 1–1 draw against Austria.[33][34] On 9 November, Konaté was included in Didier Deschamps's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he helped France reach the final.[35] On 18 November 2024, he captained his country in a 3–1 UEFA Nations League victory against Italy.[36]

On 14 May 2026, Konaté was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[37]

Style of play

[edit]

Konaté has been compared to Virgil van Dijk due to his positional play, tackling, pace and strength.[9][38] Guido Schafer said that: "he is tall, fast, good technique and he is a little bit of Virgil van Dijk. He has very high-class potential. He is a great athlete, he has good speed and there are no silly tackles – he is an intelligent player."[38] Konaté is also well known for his passing and strength in the air.[38]

Personal life

[edit]

Konaté is a practising Muslim.[39] He is a fan of anime and manga, his favourite series being Attack on Titan.[40]

Konaté's father, Hamady Konaté, died on 21 January 2026.[41]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 24 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sochaux II 2016–17[42] CFA 2 91————91
Sochaux 2016–17[42] Ligue 2 1210010——131
RB Leipzig 2017–18[42] Bundesliga 16000—4[c]0—200
2018–19[42] Bundesliga 28160—9[c]2—433
2019–20[42] Bundesliga 8010—2[d]0—110
2020–21[42] Bundesliga 14110—6[d]0—211
Total 66280—212—954
Liverpool 2021–22[43] Premier League 11061408[d]2—293
2022–23[44] Premier League 18030003[d]000240
2023–24[45] Premier League 22030507[c]0—370
2024–25[46] Premier League 31100407[d]1—422
2025–26[47] Premier League 361400010[d]11[e]0512
Total 1182161130354101837
Real Madrid 2026–27[48] La Liga 0000—000000
Career total 20562411405661030013
  1. ↑ Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Copa del Rey
  2. ↑ Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup
  3. 1 2 3 Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ↑ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 July 2026[49]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
France 202270
202360
202480
202550
202640
Total300

Honours

[edit]

RB Leipzig

Liverpool

France

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Ibrahima Konaté: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "Ibrahima Konaté: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  3. ↑ "Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: France (FRA)" (PDF). FIFA. 18 December 2022. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Ibrahima Konaté". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Ibrahima Konaté". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Ibrahima Konaté: 'The final in Paris, my home. I couldn't have dreamed it'". The Guardian. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  7. ↑ Touré, Noyine (7 February 2019). "Ibrahima Konaté affole l'Europe".
  8. 1 2 Julien Laurens (28 May 2021). "Ibrahima Konate's move to Liverpool is just reward for the hard-working French U-21 star". ESPN.
  9. 1 2 3 "Who is Ibrahima Konate?". Bundesliga. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "LFP.fr – Ligue de Football Professionnel – Domino's Ligue 2 – Saison 2016/2017 – 24ème journée – FC Sochaux-Montbéliard / AJ Auxerre". lfp.fr.
  11. ↑ "RB Leipzig land French talent Ibrahima Konate - bundesliga.com". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "RasenBallsport Leipzig – Neuzugang-Ibrahima-Konate". redbulls.
  13. ↑ "Fortuna Dusseldorf v RB Leipzig Live Commentary & Result, 27/01/2019, Bundesliga". Goal (website). 27 January 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  14. ↑ "Liverpool agree deal for Konaté". BBC Sport. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  15. ↑ "Liverpool seal £36m deal for RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konaté". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Reddy, Melissa (28 May 2021). "Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool close to sealing transfer after triggering RB Leipzig defender's release clause". The Independent. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  17. ↑ "Report: Mane, Salah and Keita goals see off Palace at Anfield". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  18. ↑ Jackson, Jamie (24 October 2021). "Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjær calls 5–0 thrashing 'darkest day'". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Crooks, Garth. "Garth Crooks' team of the week: Alisson, Keita, Mount, Salah, Foden". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  20. ↑ Hunter, Andy (5 April 2022). "Luis Díaz returns to Portugal to haunt Benfica and seal Liverpool's first-leg win". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Hunter, Andy (13 April 2022). "Liverpool to face Villarreal in semi-final after thrilling draw with Benfica". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  22. ↑ McNulty, Phil (16 April 2022). "FA Cup semi-final: Man City 2–3 Liverpool - Sadio Mane double helps Jurgen Klopp's side through". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  23. ↑ Gorst, Paul (31 July 2022). "Ibrahima Konate injury explained as Keita and Jones absences addressed". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  24. ↑ Hepburn, Daniel (17 September 2024). "AC Milan 1–3 Liverpool: Player Ratings and Match Highlights". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  25. ↑ "'Moment to cherish!' Ibrahima Konate's first Premier League goal gives Liverpool lead". Sky Sports. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  26. ↑ Hunter, Andy (26 November 2025). "Arne Slot's woes deepen as awful Liverpool are thrashed by PSV at Anfield". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  27. ↑ Reis, Bruna (31 January 2026). "Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate breaks down in tears after scoring vs Newcastle". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  28. ↑ "Ibrahima Konate: Liverpool 'disgusted' by racist abuse towards France defender". BBC Sport. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
  29. ↑ Carroll, James (31 May 2026). "Ibrahima Konate to leave Liverpool FC". Liverpool FC. Archived from the original on 31 May 2026. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  30. ↑ "Official Announcement: Konaté". Real Madrid CF. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Liverpool FC – Ibrahima Konate called up by France". liverpoolfc.com. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  32. ↑ Husband, Ben (4 June 2022). "Konate handed first France call-up as Varane's suffers more injury woe". mirror. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  33. ↑ "Austria 1 France 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "Ibrahima Konate's season keeps getting better with senior debut for France". This Is Anfield. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  35. ↑ Sears, Jack (9 November 2022). "Ibrahima Konate named in France squad for World Cup". This Is Anfield. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  36. ↑ "Didier Deschamps to initiate crunch France captaincy talks with Kylian Mbappé as Ibrahima Konaté's stock grows". Yahoo Sports. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  37. ↑ "France World Cup squad: Camavinga, Kolo Muani miss out". 14 May 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 Alex Young (29 March 2021). "Who is Ibrahima Konaté: Liverpool target is 'the new Virgil van Dijk' but has worrying injury record". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  39. ↑ "Muslim football players in French national team reportedly asked to postpone their fasting". aa.com.tr. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  40. ↑ Northcroft, Jonathan (27 May 2022). "Ibrahima Konaté: I asked Jürgen Klopp, 'If I was your son, what would you advise?". The Times. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  41. ↑ Jones, Mark (22 January 2026). "Ibrahima Konate confirms dad's death after missing Liverpool match". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "I. Konaté: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Ibrahima Konate in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "Ibrahima Konaté" (in French). French Football Federation. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  50. ↑ "DFB-Pokal 2018/19, Finale in Berlin: RB Leipzig 0:3 Bayern München: Aufstellung" [DFB-Pokal 2018/19, Final in Berlin: RB Leipzig 0:3 Bayern Munich: Lineup]. Kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  51. ↑ "DFB-Pokal 2020/21, Finale in Berlin: RB Leipzig 1:4 Borussia Dortmund: Aufstellung" [DFB-Pokal 2020/21, Final in Berlin: RB Leipzig 1:4 Borussia Dortmund: Lineup]. Kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  52. ↑ McNulty, Phil (14 May 2022). "Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  53. ↑ McNulty, Phil (27 February 2022). "Chelsea 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  54. ↑ McNulty, Phil (25 February 2024). "Chelsea 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  55. ↑ McNulty, Phil (16 March 2025). "Liverpool 1–2 Newcastle United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  56. ↑ Hafez, Shamoon (30 July 2022). "Liverpool 3–1 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  57. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 May 2022). "Liverpool 0–1 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  58. ↑ McNulty, Phil (18 December 2022). "Argentina 3–3 France". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  59. ↑ "Germany 0–2 France report: Kylian Mbappé scores landmark goal as Les Bleus clinch Nations League third place". UEFA. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
[edit]
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