Ibrahima Konaté and Kylian Mbappé are set to become club teammates after the World Cup. The French defender has completed his transfer to Real Madrid, announced officially on Thursday. Konaté left Liverpool as a free agent at the end of May and will join Mbappé at Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s training ground. Mbappé, who is currently with Konaté at the World Cup, welcomed the news warmly.
“I arrived here as a young player full of dreams. Today, I leave with memories that will stay with me for life”. On May 31, as he joined the France squad at Clairefontaine for World Cup 2026 preparations with the French national team, Ibrahima Konaté announced his departure from Liverpool via an Instagram post after five seasons on Merseyside. “Representing this club has been an honor. We shared incredible moments together… highs and lows, trophies, challenges, lifelong friendships, and heartbreaking moments, none more painful than the loss of our brother Diogo.”
“Deeply saddened not to have the chance to say goodbye to everyone”
“To my teammates, coaches, staff, and everyone working behind the scenes, thank you for helping me improve day after day. To the fans… thank you for your love, energy, and incredible support. Anfield is truly a special place, and playing in front of you was something I never took for granted. I am deeply saddened not to have the chance to say goodbye to all of you at the last match. At that time, I did not know it would be the last time I wore that shirt in front of you.” continued the France central defender. At 27, Konaté accepted Real Madrid‘s approach by signing a four-season contract, tying him to the club until June 2030.
Kylian Mbappé likes and comments on Real Madrid’s post about Konaté’s signing
The official announcement of this agreed move came on Thursday. The communication was made by both Real Madrid and its new recruit on their respective social media channels. On Instagram, a collaborative post was published and commented on by the France captain: Kylian Mbappé. Amid the World Cup with Konaté on American soil, Mbappé welcomed his France teammate, who will now also become his club teammate. “Ibou,” wrote Kylian Mbappé with a heart emoji.
