Ibrahima Konate outlines battle with depression after deaths of Diogo Jota and father

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has spoken candidly about the toll that the deaths of his teammate Diogo Jota and his father took on his mental health. Jota, the star forward from Portugal, tragically died in a car crash last July, while Konate's father Hamady passed away in January following a prolonged illness. The 27-year-old French international revealed that these losses deeply affected his performance during his final season at Anfield. In an interview with France Inter radio, Konate shared, "There are low points, there's depression. You can suffer from depression in football too; there's no need to be ashamed to say so." He pointed out that while some may dismiss the struggles of professional athletes due to their financial success, he believes mental health challenges are valid and should be openly discussed. "Depression is personal; it's deep inside you. When you're depressed, it starts in the heart, goes up to the brain and takes over your whole body," he explained. The impact of Jota's death, particularly as he was a close neighbor and friend, left Konate feeling devastated. "It devastated me. I didn't have any interest in anything else at that point," he admitted. Despite this, he felt compelled to return to football as an employee of the club, stating, "We had no choice but to go back on the field and play for him and his family – as well as ourselves. There's no way of getting over it, but you learn to live with it." During this challenging time, Konate was also grappling with the knowledge that his father was seriously ill. He revealed, "I didn't know what to do. I didn't know whether I should go home and stop playing, because the team needed me too." He emphasized the importance of speaking out during tough times, noting, "When you're feeling down or something's going on, you need to talk to those around you. It can help you and do you good." Despite returning from compassionate leave to help Liverpool through an injury crisis, Konate acknowledged that he was unable to recapture his best form. He made 51 appearances in the 2025-26 season, yet struggled to perform consistently. Now part of Didier Deschamps' squad for the World Cup, he reflected, "There was never a moment when I felt like I was on the mend. All of these tragic events happened so quickly… I had to learn how to get back on my feet on my own because the team needed me more than ever." Konate's story sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of athletes and emphasizes the need for ongoing conversations about mental health in sports.

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