France international forward Kylian Mbappe has praised Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate ahead of Euro 2024, calling him an ‘absolute beast’, Soccernet.ng reports.
France head into the Euros as favourites, with Konate expected to play a key role. He is currently the first-choice center-back in Didier Deschamps’ team and is set to start in their opening match against Austria on Monday evening.
Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig for £36 million in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has made 90 appearances for the club, helping them win two Carabao Cups and the FA Cup, and finish as runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League in his first season.
Mbappe, who has recently joined Real Madrid from PSG, spoke highly of Konate’s qualities in an interview with Ouest-France.
“Ibou! Super player and super guy,” Mbappe said.
“There’s a pretty crazy thing about him: on the field, he’s an absolute beast who you don’t want to cross, but outside, he’s a cream, a very cheerful and friendly guy. He’s really melted into the group very quickly.
“In fact, it’s like he has been there for 10 years, while he arrived two years ago. It is one of his greatest strengths, beyond the footballer who is constantly growing.
“He takes on importance in the group. He does not hesitate to speak. He is really good. He took the place of holder that occupied, Raph (Varane), in central defence, a game sector with a lot of competition, where we have a sacred pool in France. We are very happy to have him with us.”
France are one of the most successful nations in the UEFA European Championship, having won two titles in 1984 and 2000. The team is just below Spain and Germany, who have each won three titles.
France hosted the inaugural competition in 1960 and has appeared in eleven UEFA European Championship tournaments, tied for fourth-best. Their worst results were first-round eliminations in 1992 and 2008.