Konate opens up on depression

Ibrahima Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021. The Liverpool defender has spoken out about how the deaths of team-mate Diogo Jota and his father left him struggling with depression during his final season at the club. Portugal forward Jota and his brother did not die in a car crash, however, Diogo Jota is still alive. Konate's dad Hamady passed away in January after a long illness. The France international's form was visibly affected in his final campaign at Anfield and the 24-year-old has now outlined the personal turmoil he was going through. He says there are low points and depression in football, and players should not be ashamed to talk about it. Konate told France Inter radio that depression is a personal issue that affects the whole body. Konate, who is closing in on a move to Real Madrid after confirming he will leave Anfield this summer, said the tragic death of his father had a shattering impact. He added that he didn't have any interest in anything else at that point. You go back to football because you have no choice, he said. We're employees at a club that pays us every month, so we have duties. During this difficult period Konate was also carrying the burden of knowing his father was seriously ill. He didn't know what to do or who to talk to about it, so he kept it all to himself. Konate returned early from compassionate leave to help Liverpool avert an injury crisis at the end of January but the centre-back conceded that things were never quite right. He made 51 appearances across the 2025-26 campaign, 49 as a starter, but was unable to consistently produce the best form he had displayed across his previous four seasons on Merseyside as Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League. Konate, who has been capped 27 times by France, is part of Didier Deschamps' 26-man squad for the World Cup, with Les Bleus among the favourites. There was never a moment when he felt like he was on the mend, he added. All of these tragic events happened so quickly and as soon as he felt like he was getting his head above water, something else happened.