• 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
"In my opinion..." - Xavi names Liverpool star as one of the best players at the World Cup

Home> Football

Updated 15:09 28 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 15:08 28 Nov 2022 GMT

"In my opinion..." - Xavi names Liverpool star as one of the best players at the World Cup

He has impressed in Qatar.

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been singled out for praise by Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi.

Konate received a surprise call-up to Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad for Qatar despite struggling for minutes this season with his Premier League side.

The 23-year-old, who joined Liverpool in a £36m move from RB Leipzig in 2021, started at centre-back for France in their 4-1 win over Australia in the Group D.

Advert

He dropped to the bench for their next match against Denmark but came on as a late substitute as the defending champions won 2-1 to book their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Xavi impressed by Konate

In a quick-fire Q and A session on the official World Cup Twitter account, Xavi singled out Konate for special praise – describing his partnership with Dayot Upamecano as the best central defensive pairing in round one.

"Now, in my opinion, I would say Konate and Upamecano," said Xavi, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010.

Advert

The former Barcelona captain went on to name a number of other picks for the opening round of the tournament, including Spain's Pedri and Germany's Jamal Musiala as the most skilful players.

He also named Belgium's Thibaut Courtois as the best goalkeeper and Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi as the two players he would most like to play with.

Konate started for France in their opening game of the World Cup (Image: Alamy)
Konate started for France in their opening game of the World Cup (Image: Alamy)

Xavi backs Messi to win World Cup

When asked which team he would like to win the tournament if Spain were unable to, Xavi backed one of his former Barcelona teammates.

Advert

"Leo [Messi] with Argentina, that is my friend,” said Xavi.

Konate, meanwhile, will hope to regain his spot in France's starting line-up when they face Tunisia in their final group match on Wednesday.

The two-time world champions just need a point to guarantee top spot in the group.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Ibrahima Konate, Xavi, Barcelona, France, Football World Cup, Liverpool

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

X

@rory_ocallaghan

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Liverpool 'concerned' about star player's future as four clubs show interest
  • Liverpool star 'decides to leave' as new contract offer 'rejected' in nightmare scenario for Arne Slot
  • Liverpool star brutally snubs teammate Mo Salah from his top three players as he names 'deserved' Ballon d'Or winner
  • US fans make their feelings on Jude Bellingham clear after he slams the state of the pitches at Club World Cup

Choose your content:

7 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 7 mins ago

    Cristiano Ronaldo's new Al Nassr contract could see second player leave after Jhon Duran exit

    Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract with Al Nassr but it may result in key departures at the club.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Liverpool fans slam Trent Alexander-Arnold's brother after talented wonderkid rejects new deal to sign for Premier League rival

    Trent Alexander-Arnold may have left Liverpool but the club's supporters are still furious with his brother and agent.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Roy Keane was challenged to fight by former Premier League manager who claimed Man Utd legend 'is not as tough as he makes out'

    Roy Keane is considered one of football's last hardmen

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Viktor Gyokeres 'splits from model girlfriend' to 'remove all ties to Portugal' after she makes feelings clear on preferred transfer decision

    The reason behind Viktor Gyokeres ending his relationship with Ines Aguiar has been revealed.

    Football