Mbappé celebrates Konaté’s arrival at Real Madrid as France teammate

As the dust settles on the World Cup and the summer break draws to a close, Ibrahima Konaté and Kylian Mbappé will soon share the same training ground at Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have finalized the defender’s move from Liverpool, where he departed as a free agent at the end of May. The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from Mbappé, who sees his international teammate join him at the club.

“Five years ago, I arrived here with dreams in my eyes. Today, I leave with memories that will stay with me forever.” On May 31, as Konaté joined the French national team at Clairefontaine for World Cup 2026 preparations, he shared his departure from Liverpool via an Instagram post. After five seasons on the banks of the Mersey, he reflected on the journey: “Wearing this shirt was an honor. We shared incredible moments—highs, lows, trophies, challenges, lifelong friendships, and heartbreaking farewells, none more painful than losing our brother Diogo.”

Konaté’s emotional farewell to Liverpool fans

“To my teammates, coaches, and the incredible staff behind the scenes: thank you for helping me grow every single day. To the supporters… thank you for your love, energy, and unwavering support. Anfield is a special place, and playing in front of you was never something I took for granted. I’m deeply saddened I couldn’t say goodbye to everyone in person at the last match. At that moment, I didn’t know it would be the last time I wore this jersey in front of you.”

The 27-year-old central defender has signed a four-year deal with Real Madrid, keeping him at the club until June 2030. His departure marks the end of a chapter in England, as he prepares for a new challenge in Spain alongside his teammate Mbappé.

Mbappé’s warm welcome for his future club teammate

The official announcement of the transfer was made on Thursday, shared simultaneously by both the club and Konaté on their social media platforms. On Instagram, a collaborative post was published and swiftly endorsed by the French captain. Even while competing in the World Cup in the United States alongside Konaté, Mbappé extended a warm welcome to his future club teammate. His comment? A simple yet heartfelt “Ibou” followed by a heart emoji, signaling the start of a promising partnership on and off the pitch.