Cyrille de la Morinerie, edited by Gauthier Delomez 06:23, June 09, 2022, modified at 06:23, June 09, 2022

The France team travels to Austria on Friday evening to redeem itself after two disappointing matches in the League of Nations.

Didier Deschamps could call on a young newcomer, Ibrahima Konaté, who replaces Raphaël Varane.

The Liverpool defender confided, in particular on the moment when he learned that he was selected.

A tall 23-year-old colossus who does not go unnoticed.

Didier Deschamps has called up defender Ibrahima Konaté to replace the injured Raphaël Varane numerically.

The young Liverpool player has the physique of a gladiator, 1m94 for 84 kilos.

He is also smiling: it is without language of wood that he told how he had learned his summons to the France team.

He had just started his vacation.

"I was on a boat with friends in Greece, I was looking for my phone and as luck would have it, I saw missed calls," he said at a press conference.

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The young footballer continues: "I decided to call back because I didn't know the number, and I heard the news. It's true that I was a bit lost, but I was very happy."

From the 11th arrondissement of Paris to Liverpool

Since his beginnings in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, Ibrahima Konaté has been breaking down barriers like a bulldozer.

After Sochaux, he flew to Leipzig, where he became one of the attractions of the German championship.

Last summer, the mythical club of Liverpool recruited him to play alongside the solid Dutchman Virgil van Dijk.

The French, finalist of the Champions League, has as a model a certain Sergio Ramos, the iconic defender of Paris Saint-Germain.

"It's true that when he was at Real Madrid, with all the goals he scored and what he brought to the team, he was a positive leader. These are the things that inspire me too", specifies Ibrahima Konaté.

Who hopes to quickly celebrate his first selection, and even participate in the next World Cup.

Before that, the Blues face Austria in Vienna on Friday evening, at the Ernst-Happel stadium, to try to redeem themselves after a defeat and a draw in the League of Nations.