Present this Tuesday at a press conference, Ibrahima Konaté was questioned about the presence of leaders within the France team in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, left at the disposal of Real Madrid, and Antoine Griezmann, who took his international retirement. The Liverpool defender named four names expected to take responsibility when facing Israel and Belgium in the Nations League.
Kylian Mbappé was left available to Real Madrid at the start of autumn, against a backdrop of controversy. Antoine Griezmann has chosen to end his international career. In the absence of its captain and its former vice-captain, the French team is looking for new strong men as it faces Israel (this Friday in Hungary) and Belgium (Monday in Brussels) in the League nations.
“Me, Maignan, Koundé and Tchouaméni”
While the rally began in Clairefontaine, Didier Deschamps has not yet announced the name of the person who will wear the interim armband during the next meetings. As revealed by RMC Sport, Mike Maignan appears to be the favorite. Asked about the presence of leaders among the Blues, Ibrahima Konaté gave his opinion on the question this Tuesday during his appearance at a press conference.
“Being a leader, I think it’s something innate,” said the Liverpool defender.
“It can be learned, but in general, it’s something you have or don’t have. You have to be a person appreciated by everyone, whether on or off the field. The leader will often be there, not when things are going well, when everything is beautiful and cool. The leaders are there especially when things are not going well. It’s like the foundations of a house. when there is a little turbulence, they are there to keep the house and the group together so that everything goes well, on the right track,” said the who caused a sensation when he arrived at Clairefontaine his face hidden under a sort of yellow zipped hood.
Asked to give the names of those who could rise to prominence in the national team in the days to come, Konaté responded without dodging. “There are a few players who have the profile,” said the Paris native. “The truth, I have two or three names that come to mind. Whether it’s me, Mike (Maignan), Jules (Koundé) and Aurél (Tchouaméni) perhaps. These are the only names that come to mind , in all honesty.”
