Konaté on Mbappé, Zidane and Riner: the Bleus defender's candid take

Ibrahima Konaté was asked about almost everything on Monday evening: Kylian Mbappé's mood, Zinédine Zidane's new France and a judo legend running for president. On that last one, the defender came up empty. He simply hadn't seen the news.

How is Mbappé really doing?

According to Konaté, his Real Madrid and France teammate is in a very good frame of mind. He says Mbappé has been decisive and hugely important for Madrid in recent games, and that his joy at playing every day shows even on camera.

Missing out on the Ballon d'Or, which Konaté says Mbappé fully deserved, was hard to take. But the very next day, he says, Mbappé was fully switched on in training. Konaté hopes he stays at the club next year so he can finally lift the trophy.

He was also asked about Désiré Doué, who has been dazzling everyone lately. Konaté isn't surprised, because he has seen the young player's "invisible work" up close with the national team. He adds that Doué is still far from his prime.

What about Zidane's France?

Konaté missed the first gathering under Zidane with a knee injury, so he watched from the sidelines. He says the squad handled the coach's new way of playing and defending very well, and that there is still room to grow.

Is Zidane building a club spirit in the national team? Konaté won't be rushed. It's only the beginning, he says, and he doesn't want to draw conclusions that could come back to bite him. He wishes Zidane and the team all the best.

On a personal level, he feels he is rising. He points to a strong start to the season after a difficult last year, which also included tragedies off the pitch. He says that shows his mental strength, but insists he is still far from his goals, and yes, one of them is a starting place with Les Bleus.

And Teddy Riner's presidential bid?

On Monday, five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner announced he will run in France's 2027 presidential election. Konaté laughed it off. He had only seen a picture of Riner in a suit, he said, and didn't know if he was joking or serious.

Told by journalists that it's real, he replied, "OK, I'll look at it afterwards." Ask him again later, he added, and he might have an answer.