According to a report by Madrid Universal on Monday, November 9, 2026, Ibrahima Konate has become one of Jose Mourinho's most trusted defenders since joining Real Madrid from Liverpool on a free transfer during the summer window.

Despite facing criticism over his inconsistent performances during his final season at Anfield, the French international has quickly established himself as a regular starter alongside Dean Huijsen, helping to improve Madrid's defensive stability.

His growing importance is evident in his playing time, having featured for 1,170 minutes this season. He is currently Real Madrid's fourth-most-used outfield player, behind Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde.

The defensive partnership between Konate and Huijsen has given Mourinho an effective combination at the back. Their contrasting strengths have helped the team maintain a balance between defensive solidity and building attacks from defence.

Konate brings physical strength, recovery pace and confidence in one-on-one defensive situations, while Huijsen provides composure and technical quality when playing the ball out from the back.

The Frenchman's arrival initially raised questions because his performances had declined following Liverpool's Premier League triumph in the 2024/25 season. His limited involvement with France during the 2026 World Cup also influenced expectations surrounding his move.

However, his relatively low-profile arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu appears to have given him the opportunity to focus on improving his performances without facing excessive external attention.

Mourinho's team selections have further highlighted Konate's increasing importance. After starting Real Madrid's first two league matches, the defender has continued to feature regularly in domestic competitions.

He has played the full 90 minutes in all 13 of his starts across competitions, although Mourinho has occasionally rested him during Champions League fixtures against Leipzig and AEK Athens.

Konate's impressive performances have also affected Antonio Rudiger's position in Madrid's defensive pecking order, with the German veteran now behind the Frenchman and Huijsen in the manager's selection plans.

Although Rudiger's experience remains an important asset to the team, Mourinho currently prefers the partnership between Konate and Huijsen. However, the French defender will need to maintain his impressive form, particularly with Eder Militao also competing for a place in the starting lineup.