France icon backs Ibrahima Konate to succeed at Real Madrid: ‘He has the necessary quality’

Ibrahima Konate is one of four players Real Madrid have signed so far, as they look to stage a resurgence heading into the new season. Konate has joined the club on a free transfer after having seen out his contract at Liverpool last season. He is expected to join as a direct replacement for David Alaba, who, in turn, left as a free agent.

Former France international Emmanuel Petit has offered a strong endorsement of his compatriot, expressing his belief that Konate has everything required to thrive at the Bernabeu despite the challenge ahead. "It was a difficult season for Ibrahima Konate off the pitch, and the entire Liverpool defence was struggling," Petit said. "Signing for Real Madrid, with the pressure and defensive issues they have, means you have to perform from the very first moment," he added.

The World Cup winner believes Konate has what it takes to rise up to the challenge and thrive at the Bernabeu. "He’s joining probably the biggest club in the world. It will be difficult, but he has the necessary quality. I believe in him and I trust him. He was an undisputed starter at Liverpool for years, and his move to Madrid is a big step up, but I have faith in his ability," he added.

While Petit’s backing will be welcome, Konate’s own World Cup has been a frustrating and low-key affair, offering little in the way of momentum ahead of his Real Madrid debut. The centre-back has found himself firmly down the pecking order in Didier Deschamps’ setup, a stark contrast to his role in France’s run to the final in 2022, when he played three full matches. This time around, Konate has featured just once across France’s opening games, and even that amounted to only a brief cameo from the bench in the group stage.

Deschamps has instead preferred the likes of William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano at the heart of his defence, with Maxence Lacroix also earning minutes ahead of the new Real Madrid man. France, for their part, have been in dominant form, topping their group and progressing comfortably into the Round of 16, where they will take on Paraguay.