Konaté says Mbappé has already moved on from Ballon d’Or disappointment

Ibrahima Konaté believes Kylian Mbappé responded to his Ballon d’Or disappointment with professionalism and quickly returned to work. After France’s opening training session at Clairefontaine, the defender spoke as the team prepared for its Nations League fixtures. Mbappé’s reaction to the individual award was among the subjects discussed.

The French forward had been widely expected to contend for the prize but was ultimately overlooked. Konaté acknowledged that the setback could be difficult for a player with a strong competitive streak. “He is a born competitor; of course, not winning the Ballon d’Or when he deserved it by far is difficult,” he said.

But Konaté stressed that his team-mate soon refocused. “The very next day, he was already giving everything in training. I hope that next year he is in top form to lift the trophy,” he added. He also praised Mbappé’s attitude and importance at Real Madrid: “Kylian has a fantastic mentality, as we have seen in the last few matches, where he has been decisive. He is essential for us at Real Madrid.”

The defender’s remarks portray Mbappé as a player whose disappointment has not diminished his commitment or performances. Konaté also said he believes the forward quickly turned his attention back to football. His support is therefore focused both on Mbappé’s immediate response and on the hope that he will return in top form and win the award next year.

The interview also gave Konaté an opportunity to discuss his own state of mind. He said he has felt strong since the start of the season, after a period when personal difficulties made football particularly challenging. He also said: “I’m not improving, and that’s been the case since the beginning of the season.” Referring to criticism the previous year and personal circumstances that, he said, were not always mentioned, he added: “That shows how mentally strong I am.”

Finally, Konaté discussed Désiré’s less visible work. “The invisible work he does is simply exceptional,” he said, adding that Désiré still had a long way to go before reaching his full potential. For France, the international break offers a chance to bring together players who also compete at the highest level of European club football.