Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate has admitted to being “too afraid” to splash out due to fear of criticism from his brothers. The French defender, who is currently at the heart of a transfer tug-of-war with Real Madrid showing interest, has kept his spending habits under control.
Konate’s contract with Liverpool is due to run out next summer, and Real Madrid are eager to snap him up on a free transfer. This could see the defender penning a lucrative contract with the Spanish giants. Despite the uncertainty over his future, Konate has no intention of going on a spending spree, attributing his grounded nature to his brothers.
“I became the player I am today thanks to each one of them”, Konaté confessed. “From my first steps at Paris Universitee Club twenty years ago to Liverpool, they have always been a fundamental help. I didn’t spend anything at all on hedonistic and personal pleasures. No new car, no clothes, no shoes. Nothing. I was too afraid they’d tell me I’d changed.”
While his brothers helped keep his spending in check during the early stages of his career, Konate did admit that they encouraged him to treat himself a little – although he may have taken it a bit too far.
He added: “I’m not going to lie to you: I overdid it a bit, especially with clothes. You have no idea how much footballers need them [family]. Many people, more or less well-intentioned, roam around us. 95 % of them come because I’m Konaté, the football player, and not Ibrahima, the person.
“They want to take advantage of my fame, but they don’t really care about me (…) As soon as someone wants to approach me, they filter them out.”
The 26 year old Frenchman, Ibrahima Konate, began his professional football career with Sochaux before making a move to Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig. The defender made an impressive 95 appearances for the club before joining Liverpool in 2021.
Since his move, he has made a remarkable 142 appearances for the Reds, helping them secure the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup titles during his time at the club. However, this season could potentially be his last with Liverpool if he decides not to renew his contract.
In other news, Konate’s recent withdrawal from France duty due to injury has left Liverpool manager Arne Slot with a minor issue to resolve. A statement released by the France national team on Saturday read: “Injured in the right quadriceps during his last match with Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate has followed a treatment and protocol since his arrival this Monday but will not be able to take his place against Iceland.”