Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has thrown his support behind France captain Kylian Mbappe, urging the Real Madrid forward not to let growing criticism distract him from his football.
Softfootball understands that Konate made the remarks after Mbappe was left out of France’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, a decision that has generated widespread debate.
The centre-back acknowledged the intense scrutiny that comes with being one of the world’s biggest football stars, admitting that Mbappe’s life away from the pitch is far more demanding than many people realise.
Konate stressed that while many players would love to reach Mbappe’s level on the field, few would want to deal with the constant attention and criticism that follows him every day.
He also reminded fans of Mbappe’s enormous contribution to the French national team over the years, insisting that the forward deserves appreciation for everything he has achieved rather than being judged solely on recent events.
The Liverpool defender added that France have enough quality to cope with Mbappe’s absence, but maintained that the decision to omit the Real Madrid star rests entirely with head coach Didier Deschamps.
France will face their upcoming Nations League fixtures without Mbappe, as Deschamps continues to assess his squad ahead of future international competitions.
