Ibrahima Konate reveals grief over double tragedy before Liverpool exit
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has opened up about the profound impact of losing his team-mate Diogo Jota and his father within the same year, ahead of his impending departure from Anfield this summer.
The French international is set to leave the Merseyside club on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract, with Real Madrid his likely destination.
However, his final season in England has been heavily overshadowed by immense personal turmoil off the pitch.
Processing a sudden loss
The Anfield dressing room was left devastated during the summer when Jota and his brother were killed in a car crash.
The Portuguese forward was also a close neighbour to the centre-back, making the sudden bereavement even more difficult to process.
Speaking to France Inter radio, the former RB Leipzig man admitted he is still struggling to accept the tragedy.
“Even today it’s hard to believe. His locker was still there in the dressing room, and every day when I was going to training he was coming with us.”
The 25-year-old explained that he was in Los Angeles when he received the devastating news.
“I didn’t have any interest in anything else at that point. It was the last person anyone would have chosen this to happen to.”
Finding the strength to play
The tragic incident has been cited as a major contributing factor to the broader struggles experienced by the squad this campaign.
Despite the overwhelming sorrow, the French World Cup runner-up emphasised the professional obligation to continue competing.
“You go back to football because you have no choice. We’re employees at a club that pays us every month, so we have duties.”
He added that the team felt a deep responsibility to perform for their fallen colleague, his family, and the grieving supporters.
A silent family struggle
Alongside the mourning of his club-mate, the outgoing centre-half was also silently dealing with his father’s severe illness.
Hamady Konate spent several weeks in hospital at the start of the season before sadly passing away in January.
The Paris-born defender admitted he kept the agonizing situation to himself because he felt torn between family duties and his team’s requirements.
“I didn’t know whether I should go home and stop playing, because the team needed me too.”
He has now urged others facing similar emotional distress to seek support from those around them rather than suffering in silence.
After his father’s passing, the grief-stricken star returned early from compassionate leave to assist a heavily depleted, injury-hit Liverpool side.
Reflecting on that gruelling period, he acknowledged the permanent toll the events have taken, noting he never truly felt on the mend.