L'Équipe reports that Konate is now ranked fourth among French center-backs, leaving the player surprised and frustrated by his position.
For Konate, this feels like another grueling day, but he did not expect it to come to this. Two years ago, at the European Championship, the French defender did not play a single minute due to inadequate preparation and had long since been displaced by the Upamecano-Saliba partnership. To understand his mindset at the time, one need only revisit his comments in that small room in Paderborn.
"I knew my place before the first game. There will be frustration, but I know my role. I will stay focused and determined. My job is not to show frustration," he said in a measured statement at the time. "He (Saliba) deserves these minutes. I spoke to him and told him this is his moment. When I'm 100% back, things will be intense. (Laughs)"
Two years later, despite a difficult year, Konate's situation remains largely unchanged, though he has maintained his composure. Given the excellent seasons of Upamecano and Saliba, and Konate's more inconsistent campaign—compounded by personal tragedy, including the loss of his father and his friend and teammate Diogo Jota—Deschamps unhesitatingly persisted with the Bayern and Arsenal center-back pairing. It was a logical footballing decision, one Deschamps had already explained internally, and Konate accepted it. What truly came as a shock was what followed. Last Friday evening, Lacroix started at left center-back against Norway (France won 4-1). Although he played only 15 minutes, he performed well and earned internal recognition.
Was this merely a temporary choice? Far from it. The coaching staff greatly appreciates Lacroix's energy. Konate's performance in the June 4 friendly against Ivory Coast was also deemed inconsistent. In recent days, the future Real Madrid defender—who had hoped to settle his club future before the tournament to ease his concerns—also realized that his former Senlis teammate had gained ground on him. Privately, he did not hide his surprise and disappointment. That is understandable for a player accustomed to major tournaments and Champions League football, who has been competing at the highest level for years. Moreover, the decision came at a time when Konate believed he was in peak form.
However, the player from Paris's 11th arrondissement is not one to dwell on setbacks. Within the French team, Konate has shown no negativity, nor has he directly expressed any dissatisfaction to the coaching staff. He has maintained his daily routine: waking up early for gym sessions and strength training, followed by high-intensity practice. This attitude is viewed positively internally. This Saturday, he also took the opportunity to relax when his mother, sister, several brothers, and nieces and nephews visited Boston.
After three weeks of competition, Konate does not appear resigned. A close associate explained, "He is determined. He has competed in major tournaments and knows that he must always be ready." The current question is whether Konate, whether deployed at left or right center-back, can regain his place as the first backup to the Upamecano-Saliba pairing heading into the round of 16, quarterfinals, and beyond. Last Friday, Lacroix's solid performance probably did not fully resolve that question.
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