Ibrahima Konaté – Quick Profile

Biography

Ibrahima Konaté was born on 25 May 1999 in Paris, France. He grew up on a council estate in the 11th arrondissement, the second youngest of eight children. His parents are originally from Mali – his mother worked as a cleaner and his father, Hamady, was a refuse collector. It was a modest upbringing, but a tight-knit one. Konaté has always spoken about how his family kept him grounded and motivated.

He started kicking a ball around at the age of five with local side AS Falguère, later joining the Paris FC youth setup from 2009 to 2014. Interestingly, he didn’t start out as a defender. Konaté was actually a striker as a kid, but coaches noticed his height and athleticism and gradually moved him through midfield and eventually to centre-back by the time he was 15 at Sochaux.

His family’s influence has been huge. In a heartbreaking recent development, Konaté lost his father in January 2026. He was absent from Liverpool’s squad for three games to attend the funeral in France. When he returned on 31 January 2026, he scored in a 4–1 win over Newcastle United – a tribute that moved fans across the footballing world.

Career

Early Career – Sochaux

In 2014, a 15-year-old Konaté left Paris for Ligue 2 side FC Sochaux-Montbéliard’s academy. He progressed fast. On 7 February 2017, at just 17 years old, he made his senior debut in a Ligue 2 match against Auxerre. He even scored his first professional goal later that same season. For someone that young, in a tough league, it was seriously impressive stuff.

RB Leipzig (2017–2021)

On 12 June 2017, Konaté joined RB Leipzig on a free transfer, signing a five-year deal. His debut came on 1 October 2017 against Köln. By the 2018–19 season, he was a regular starter, making 43 appearances and scoring three goals, including one in the Europa League. Injuries did slow him down at times, but when fit, he was one of the best young defenders in the Bundesliga. His pace, reading of the game, and composure on the ball were all way beyond his years.

Liverpool FC (2021–Present)

On 28 May 2021, Liverpool confirmed they’d agreed a £36 million deal with RB Leipzig to bring Konaté to Anfield. He made his Premier League debut on 18 September 2021, partnering Virgil van Dijk in a 3–0 win over Crystal Palace and keeping a clean sheet. That partnership quickly became one of the most feared in the league.

His first season was outstanding. He scored key goals in the Champions League and FA Cup, and won both the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Liverpool fans especially remember his celebration against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, where he performed the famous salute from the anime Attack on Titan.

Konaté went on to win the Premier League title with Liverpool in the 2024–25 season under Arne Slot, scoring his first-ever league goal along the way. He’s been a consistent performer when fit, though the 2025–26 season has been a bit more up and down, with some criticism from fans and pundits about his form.

International Career – France

Konaté received his first senior France call-up on 4 June 2022, replacing the injured Raphaël Varane. He made his debut on 10 June in a 1–1 draw against Austria. That November, he was included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where France reached the final. On 18 November 2024, he captained France for the first time in a 3–1 UEFA Nations League win over Italy – a proud moment for a player who was playing local football in Paris just a decade earlier.

Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Let’s talk money. Konaté signed a five-year contract with Liverpool back in July 2021, and his current weekly salary sits at around £70,000 to £80,000, which works out to roughly £3.6 million per year. Over the full length of that contract, he’ll have earned upwards of £18 million from salary alone.

Icon Polls estimates that Ibrahima Konaté’s net worth is between €35.4M and €43.3M as of early 2026. This figure accounts for his accumulated salary earnings, endorsement deals, image rights, and other income streams. He has a deal with Nike as his kit supplier, and while he keeps his off-field business relatively private, the financial picture is healthy for a player still only 26.

There’s been significant buzz around his next contract. Reports suggest his camp has demanded a wage increase of around 150%, pushing his salary to approximately £200,000 per week. That would put him among Liverpool’s highest earners, alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. As of February 2026, no agreement has been reached.

Transfer Value

Konaté’s transfer value has been a hot topic, especially with his contract expiring on 30 June 2026. According to Icon Polls research, his estimated transfer value sits between €35.4M and €43.3M. Meanwhile, Transfermarkt values him at €60 million, making him the most valuable player out of contract in the summer of 2026.

The big question is whether Liverpool will lose him for free. Real Madrid have been heavily linked, and recent reports suggest negotiations between Konaté’s representatives and the Spanish club are advanced. PSG have also shown interest, with the idea of bringing the Parisian-born defender back to his hometown appealing to all parties. Liverpool reportedly agreed a £60 million deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, which many see as a pre-emptive replacement should Konaté leave.

His agent is scheduled to meet with Liverpool officials in early February 2026 for what has been described as crunch talks. Whether a deal gets done or not remains to be seen, but there is no denying he is one of the most sought-after defenders on the planet right now.

Personal Life

Off the pitch, Konaté keeps a pretty low profile. He is publicly single – there’s no confirmed girlfriend or partner. He’s a practising Muslim and has spoken about how his faith shapes his daily life and values. His Malian heritage is something he’s deeply proud of, and he holds dual nationality (French and Malian).

One thing fans absolutely love about him is his passion for anime and manga. Attack on Titan is his favourite series, and he regularly posts about anime on social media. He even celebrated a goal with the iconic salute from the show. He’s also into Dragon Ball and Naruto. It’s one of those things that makes him really relatable – a 6-foot-4 professional footballer who’s also a massive nerd in the best possible way.

Fashion is another big interest. He turned heads in October 2024 when he arrived at France’s Clairefontaine training centre wearing a hooded balaclava, sparking a wave of memes and media coverage. He also once showed up in a green cagoule and asked reporters in French if they knew who he was. The man has character.

He’s close to his younger brother Moriba and has spoken about his family being his biggest motivation. He also has a pet rabbit named Dagouss, which has become something of a fan favourite on social media.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ibrahima Konaté

Below are the 20 most commonly searched questions about Ibrahima Konaté across search engines and AI platforms, answered based on Icon Polls findings and verified public information.

1. How old is Ibrahima Konaté?

Ibrahima Konaté is 26 years old. He was born on 25 May 1999 in Paris, France.

2. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates that his net worth is between €35.4M and €43.3M as of early 2026. This includes his career earnings, endorsements, and image rights.

3. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s weekly salary at Liverpool?

He currently earns between £70,000 and £80,000 per week, which amounts to roughly £3.6 million annually. His camp has been pushing for a new deal worth around £200,000 per week.

4. How tall is Ibrahima Konaté?

He stands at 1.94 metres (6 feet 4 inches), making him one of the tallest centre-backs in the Premier League. He weighs approximately 95 kg.

5. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s transfer value?

According to Icon Polls research, his estimated transfer value is between €35.4M and €43.3M. Transfermarkt places his market value at €60 million, making him the most valuable player whose contract expires in summer 2026.

6. Is Ibrahima Konaté leaving Liverpool?

As of February 2026, his contract expires on 30 June 2026 and no extension has been agreed. Real Madrid and PSG are both reportedly interested. His agent is holding talks with Liverpool, but the situation remains unresolved.

7. Does Ibrahima Konaté have a girlfriend?

No. Konaté is publicly single and keeps his personal life very private. There are no confirmed reports of a girlfriend or partner.

8. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s nationality?

He is French by nationality, with Malian heritage through his parents. He holds both French and Malian citizenship and plays internationally for France.

9. What religion does Ibrahima Konaté follow?

Konaté is a practising Muslim. His faith has been a significant part of his life and he has spoken about it publicly on several occasions.

10. What trophies has Ibrahima Konaté won?

He has won the Premier League (2024–25), the FA Cup (2021–22), the EFL Cup (2021–22), and the Community Shield. He was also a runner-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup with France and the 2021–22 Champions League final.

11. What position does Ibrahima Konaté play?

He plays as a centre-back. He started his career as a striker but was converted to a defender during his time at the Sochaux academy around the age of 15.

12. When did Ibrahima Konaté join Liverpool?

Liverpool signed him from RB Leipzig on 1 July 2021 for a fee of approximately £36 million (€40 million). He signed a five-year contract running until June 2026.

13. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s shirt number?

He wears the number 5 shirt at Liverpool.

14. Is Ibrahima Konaté going to Real Madrid?

There have been strong links to Real Madrid, especially as his contract winds down. Reports from early 2026 suggest negotiations are advanced, though Liverpool are still trying to convince him to stay. Nothing is confirmed yet.

15. Why does Ibrahima Konaté celebrate with anime poses?

Konaté is a huge anime fan, with Attack on Titan being his favourite series. After scoring in the 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, he performed the famous salute from the show. He regularly posts about anime on his social media accounts.

16. How many goals has Ibrahima Konaté scored?

He has scored around 9 career goals across all competitions, which is a solid return for a centre-back. His goals have come in the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups.

17. Who is Ibrahima Konaté’s defensive partner at Liverpool?

His primary defensive partner is Virgil van Dijk. The two have formed one of the best centre-back pairings in the Premier League since Konaté’s arrival.

18. What happened to Ibrahima Konaté’s father?

Sadly, Konaté’s father Hamady passed away in January 2026. He missed three Liverpool matches to attend the funeral in France. Upon his return, he scored in a 4–1 win over Newcastle United on 31 January 2026.

19. What is Ibrahima Konaté’s EA FC rating?

In EA FC 26, Konaté is rated 85–86 overall as a centre-back. He is considered one of the top-tier defenders in the game, reflecting his real-life abilities.

20. Does Ibrahima Konaté have any siblings?

Yes, he is one of eight children. He is the second youngest and is especially close to his younger brother, Moriba. His family are originally from Mali and he has spoken about how his siblings and parents shaped his character.