Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate has suggested he could replace Kylian Mbappe as France captain and voiced his sympathy for the Real Madrid striker, who has been left out of Les Bleus’ squad because of a lack of playing time.
Mbappe was booed by home fans when he came on as a substitute in Madrid’s surprise 1-0 defeat at Lille in the Champions League last Wednesday, having left Ligue 1 for the first time in his career when he joined the reigning Spanish champions in June.
“I didn’t know he was booed in Lille but I don’t understand why,” said Konate, via L’Equipe. “He raises awareness of everything that’s happening around him.
“I don’t think it’s easy to live with. He’s still young. If I had all that hype around me, I don’t know if I could have held on. He could have had a psychological block. I’d like to discuss it with him.”
At home 🏰#FiersdetreBleuspic.twitter.com/HEJwK1V4mP
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 7, 2024
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France squad: Mbappe out
Mbappe is former club Paris St-Germain’s all-time record scorer and 10 international goals away from breaking Olivier Giroud’s record for his country.
The 25-year-old will not be involved in France’s Nations League matches away to Israel in Budapest on Thursday and in Belgium on Monday (both 7.45pm BST), and Konate named himself, goalkeeper Mike Maignan, defender Jules Kounde and midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as potential stand-in captains.
“Being a leader is something that can’t be taught,” he said. “You either have it or you don’t. You have to be liked by everyone on and off the pitch.
“[You’re] going to be there not necessarily when things are going well, but especially when things aren’t going well. It’s like the foundations of a house – when there’s a bit of turbulence, they make sure everything stays solid.”
Getting down to work 😤⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wwlVZuy07S
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 8, 2024
Konate on France goals
Konate was selected by Deschamps for Euro 2024 but remained an unused substitute throughout. The 25-year-old played for 90 minutes in France’s 3-1 Nations League home defeat to Italy last month, returning to the bench for their subsequent 2-0 home win over Belgium in Lyon.
“The Euro is over,” said Konate. “I mainly thought about what I have to do, how I have to act and do so that this doesn’t happen again. If I had played during the Euro, in relation to the captaincy, I would have had a say in the matter.
“I told the coach he could count on me. My role was to be with the team and support them. That’s what I was able to do, I did my job. The Euro is behind me; I’m here to achieve other goals and do what I have to do.”
Lucas Digne brought the Brummie weather with him! 😅👊 pic.twitter.com/JdSdglEljT
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) October 8, 2024
Griezmann retirement ‘part of football’
The international retirement of one of manager Didier Deschamps’ most experienced players, forward Antoine Griezmann, is part of a period of change for the national team which “shakes up a lot of things”, Konate added.
“But that’s part of football. I experienced it with [manager Jurgen] Klopp [leaving] Liverpool [after nine years in May]. It’s up to us to adapt and try to do even better than the older generations.
“There are so many names who have left recently. It’s up to us to focus and be new leaders. We have to enjoy the moment.”
