Ibrahima Konate has admitted he must still prove himself to be as worthy as Manchester United defender Raphael Varane. Earlier this year, the centre-back announced a surprise international retirement in a bid to prolong his club career.
Varane reached the pinnacle with France, helping them win the World Cup in 2018. “Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” he posted on Instagram in February. “Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride.
“The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we enter the field. I have been thinking about it for several months and decided that it was the right time for me to retire from international football. »
An impressive 93 caps during a golden era of French football helped establish Varane as one of the world’s best defenders. The 30-year-old announced his retirement after the World Cup, where he had faced a battle to be fit after picking up an injury on United duty.
Recurring niggles have hampered Varane’s career in recent years and the decision was made with one eye towards his club future. Since then, France have tinkered with several partners alongside Bayern Munich stalwart Dayot Upamecano.
One of those is Konate, the 24-year-old enforcer Liverpool stumped up £36million to sign two years ago. The Reds defender has also been blighted by injuries, starting just 30 Premier League games out of a possible 84.
A muscle injury ruled him out of the previous international break but he is back for Les Bleus’ double-header against the Netherlands and Scotland. When asked whether he has succeeded Varane for France, Konate downplayed those suggestions – insisting there is plenty of work to go.
“Having taken up the torch? No, not yet,” the Liverpool centre-back said. “This is one of my objectives but I am still far from everything that he has won, from his track record, from everything that Raphael Varane has succeeded.”
Source: Manchester Evening News
