Konaté talks about the third place decision: 'Nobody wants to play

Konaté talks about the third place decision: 'Nobody wants to play

According to Vi.

Context

Ibrahima Konaté, defender who transferred from Liverpool to Real Madrid in this transfer window, is at a crucial moment in his career. His performance at the 2026 World Cup could influence his development as a player, especially in a scenario where France seeks to recover after the defeat to Spain.

Why this matters

The match between France and England, which is worth third place in the 2026 World Cup, is seen as irrelevant by many players, including Ibrahima Konaté. The frustration over the semi-final defeat against Spain is still present, and this dispute could impact the team's morale. Furthermore, Didier Deschamps' departure after this tournament brings extra emotional weight to the match.

Main conclusions

• Konaté talks about the third place decision: 'No one wants to play.
• Ibrahima Konaté, defender of the French national team, speaks out about the third-place match against England, which he considers irrelevant, and analyzes the recent defeat to Spain.
• Konaté eerlijk over troostfinale: 'Natuurlijk wil niemand die spelen'.

This Saturday, France and England face each other in a duel that promises to be one of the least anticipated of the entire World Cup. Ibrahima Konaté, defender of the French national team, did not hide his opinion about the match that counts for third place: "Nobody wants to play this match." For Konaté, this dispute is a kind of consolation for the teams that failed to reach the grand final, but end up having to face this challenge. France reached this stage after a bitter defeat to Spain in the semi-final. The defender, who moved from Liverpool to Real Madrid in this transfer window, commented on this experience: "It's always disheartening to lose, especially in such an important game. We were motivated, but Spain proved to be a superior team in the match." The frustration is still fresh in the players' memories, but Konaté also made a point of highlighting that, in his opinion, Spain were not the best version of themselves. "At the last European Championship, they were actually at a much higher level. Players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were in excellent form. Even so, we couldn't play our best football, but I have to be honest: Yamal can play better than what he showed in that semi-final", assessed the French defender. Now, France is preparing to face England in a match that, according to Konaté, does not provide much motivation for the athletes. But, for coach Didier Deschamps, this will be a special match, as he says goodbye to the team after the World Cup. "It's a unique situation; he will be on the front line for the last time," noted Konaté, who recognizes the importance of Deschamps' contribution over the years to the team. Despite the circumstances, Konaté and his teammates are determined to make a good impression in this final match, even if their title quest is over. France, which was once championin the world, wants to show that it is still a force to be reckoned with, even if the fight for gold is behind us. "We are going to take the field and do our best, even if the prize is not what we initially wanted. Respect for the shirt and the fans must prevail", concluded the defender. The match between France and England, scheduled for this Saturday, promises to be a dramatic conclusion for both teams, who expected much more from the tournament. The expectation is that both teams will seek victory, even in a game that, for many, is just a formality.

What happens next

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, players must focus on their performances, even in a match considered a consolation match. Konaté, who recently transferred from Liverpool to Real Madrid, can use this experience to further develop as a player. The expectation is that France will seek to end the tournament with a victory, despite the lack of motivation.