Back
Sign in to your GiveMeSport account
Real Madrid fans have made their feelings very clear about Ibrahima Konate, just 12 games into his competitive career at the Bernabeu.
The Frenchman has been a regular starter under Jose Mourinho and has played 12 games out of a possible 14 in La Liga and the Champions League.
Konate arrived on a free transfer from Liverpool after running down his contract at Anfield. The verdict on the 27-year-old's performances for his new club is already in after Sunday's 3-0 win at Racing Santander.
The most recent league win was only the third time Los Blancos have kept a clean sheet this season. Konate partnered Dean Huijsen at the heart of the backline, as he often has this season.
In truth, Konate had little defensive work to do in the routine victory. He won one ground duel and made one interception, although he was unsuccessful with his only tackle attempt.
The centre-back completed 45 out of 49 attempted passes (92% completion rate) and only lost the ball five times in 90 minutes.
Fans were quick to praise his efforts on social media, with one Real Madrid account posting images of Konate with the caption: "€0 for this absolute beast. What a season he is having so far."
Another X user added: "Top player. He is shutting all the doubters up just from pure elite performances (including me)."
Others were more effusive in their praise, with one fan taken aback by Konate's quality: "I admit I didn’t expect him to be THIS good. My god, he really proved me wrong and I’m so happy that he did. I hope he can stay this consistent for the remainder of the season."
"It was normal to have doubts (I include myself) about the last season with Liverpool, but he's clearing them up like a beast. He is getting better every day and forming a very complementary partnership with Huijsen. We can already say it's a great signing."
Speaking about life in the Spanish capital last month, Konate claimed that Real Madrid are the best team in world football, while admitting the media is bigger than anything he'd experienced before.
"It’s more than I expected—the media, everything is magnified much more. For me, it’s the best team in the world," he said (per Goal).
The former Liverpool defender also had praise for his new manager. Speaking about what it's like playing for Jose Mourinho, he said:
"He has an impressive aura that not all coaches have. Of course, when he speaks, everyone listens and respects him in the dressing room."