Ibrahima Konate expresses concern over extra pressure on Kylian Mbappe

After a sensational summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has had some difficulties in the Spanish capital despite just scoring seven goals in 11 games. He has, meanwhile, faced backlash off the field for his choice to miss the Nations League games against Belgium and Israel.

Ibrahim Konate of Liverpool has shown concern for his compatriot, speculating that the 25-year-old may be under a lot of strain. The centre-back spoke in the pre-match press conference ahead of his team’s clash in the UEFA Nations League. 

He said, "Sometimes I put myself in his shoes, and if I had all this hype around me, I don't know if I would have held on. He managed to do it and he continues to do it. He may have a psychological breakdown in his life, I have no idea, but I would like to discuss it with him. But you have to put yourself in his shoes. Everything that revolves around him is... He has no life! He has no life! And it must be hard for him."

The former RB Leipzig superstar said, "I don't understand why he is being booed in Lille. When I played against Toulouse with Liverpool [in the Europa League last season], they gave me an exceptional welcome. The Liverpool players really thought that I had played with Toulouse in my career. I think he is over that, but it must not be easy to experience that in his country, it's weird all the same."

Kylian Mbappe left out of France national team

Lille, a team from France, just defeated Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. The Lille supporters jeered Mbappe as he came onto the pitch as a replacement. Konate was taken aback by the Madrid forward's treatment by the supporters.

Mbappe, who had a muscular injury last month, made his UEFA Champions League comeback appearance in Real Madrid's shock loss to Lille. Despite this, the attacker was not included in the France national team by coach Didier Deschamps due to his lack of match fitness.