Ibrahima Konate already has a problem just days after officially leaving Liverpool
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Liverpool FC NewsIbrahima KonatéFormer Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is already facing a fresh challenge in his career, just days after leaving the Reds to join Real Madrid.Ibrahima Konate has struggled for a place in the France team(Image: (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images))Ibrahima Konate has left Liverpool for a new challenge, but just days after officially switching from the Reds to the white of Real Madrid, the defender is facing an unwanted battle ahead.The defender recently called time on his stay at Anfield, after spending five years on Merseyside, despite the belief that he was closing in on a contract extension with the club.Konate made 183 appearances for Liverpool, and even though he wasn't at his best last season, he was a consistent presence in a backline that was thin on options over the past year. So his eventual departure was a disappointment, especially when a deal appeared close, with his move to Real Madrid only reminding fans of past encounters with the Spanish giants in the market.While Konate will be hoping that the move to the Bernabeu will be the start of something fresh and exciting, it is already coming with an uphill battle.The defender is clearly not in favor when it comes to the French national team.
The 27-year-old was a regular for Les Bleus during their previous World Cup run in 2022, playing three full matches on their way to the final.This time, however, Didier Deschamps has seemingly overlooked Konate entirely when picking his teams for the games so far.Ibrahima KONATE of France after the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I match etween France and Senegal at MetLife Stadium on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, United States. (Photo by Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)The former Liverpool man has played just once out of a possible four times in the competitions, and even that was only a 14-minute spell from the bench in the third group stage match against Norway - which was settled by the time he came on.Instead, Arsenal's William Saliba and Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano have been ahead of him, but so too has Maxence Lacroix who started in the clash against Norway instead of him.When asked recently about Konate's place in the squad, Deschamps claimed: "I know very well what [Konate] represents and what he has given us, but today I have to make decisions based purely on the dynamics of the performances and the current form of my players."William [Saliba] and Dayot [Upamecano] are showing great solidity and impeccable consistency on the pitch right now."It remains to be seen whether Konate will be given an opportunity to shine in the World Cup before France's exit, whatever stage that may be, but with the competition ramping up, it seems unlikely that Deschamps will move on from his tried and tested setup.For the defender, the next challenge will be to get himself in the team again, which may need to follow in the months after when he returns to club action.Konate's start at Real Madrid could dictate his fortunes, with a quick start needed to get himself in contention.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Ibrahima KonatéLiverpool FCFIFA World CupReal Madrid CF