• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Liverpool star handed unexpected boost by Manchester United player after shock announcement

Home> Football

Published 16:59 3 Feb 2023 GMT

Liverpool star handed unexpected boost by Manchester United player after shock announcement

Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate has been handed an unexpected boost.

Chris Byfield

Chris Byfield

Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate has been handed an unexpected boost after Raphael Varane announced his France retirement.

On Thursday Varane announced his international retirement at the age of just 29.

The centre-back, who won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, made 93 appearances for his country in nine years.

Advert

Indeed, Varane's retirement has come as a shock, with the Manchester United star having been tipped to take over the captaincy from Hugo Lloris, who also stepped down from the international game in the wake of the World Cup.

In a statement, Varane said: "Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life.

"Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty is to give it all, play my heart out and win every time we put on the field.

"I've been contemplating this for several months and deciding it's the right time for me to retire internationally."

Konate given boost

Konate’s hopes of becoming France’s first choice were bolstered by Varane’s surprise international retirement.

The Reds defender only made his senior debut for Les Bleus last June, starting in the Nations League against Austria. At the time Konate was handed the late call-up after Varane withdrew from the squad through injury.

Advert

However, the 23-year-old has since won seven international caps, five of which came in the 2022 World Cup.

Konate started three times in place of Varane as France reached the final in Qatar.

He also came on as a substitute against Denmark and featured in the final against Argentina as Didier Deschamps' side lost on penalties.

Despite Varane’s retirement, Konate still faces competition from the likes of Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez and Axel Disasi to become a starter for his national side.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Ibrahima Konate, Raphael Varane, France, Liverpool, Manchester United

Chris Byfield
Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 12 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • Liverpool star 'decides to leave' as new contract offer 'rejected' in nightmare scenario for Arne Slot
  • Liverpool 'concerned' about star player's future as four clubs show interest
  • Liverpool closing in on shock signing out of nowhere who has been targeted by Man Utd
  • Man Utd planning 'shock' bid for England star after he's spotted on holiday with current United player