Bad news for José Mourinho, Konaté out of France with injury
Ibrahima Konaté, 27‑year‑old centre‑back of Real Madrid, was left out of the France squad after suffering a sprain in his right knee during the team’s training, according to a statement from the French federation; Leny Yoro of Manchester United was called to fill the spot.
Konaté’s sprain prevents participation
The diagnosis revealed a sprain in the right knee. The Spanish club, Real Madrid, will receive the defender to start the recovery process. No timetable was released by the national team.
Leny Yoro takes the spot in the Nations League
Leny Yoro, centre‑back of Manchester United, was chosen by the new manager Zinedine Zidane to replace Konaté for upcoming fixtures. He will start in the matches against Turkey, Belgium and Italy, which make up the Nations League phase.
This absence is bad news for José Mourinho, as Konaté started in seven of the eight games played by the Merengues.
Zidane's French setback: Konaté returns injury to Real Madrid
Real Madrid return to LaLiga on October 10, at home, against Villarreal, in the eighth round.
The French call‑ups include goalkeepers Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse) and Robin Risser (Lens); in defence, Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Jérémy Jacquet (Liverpool), Leny Yoro (Manchester United), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Andy Diouf (Inter Milan), Pierre Kalulu (Juventus), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea) and Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth); midfielders, Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Warren Zaïre‑Emery (PSG), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) and Lucas Da Cunha (Como 1907); forwards, Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Bradley Barcola (Liverpool), Désiré Doué (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) and Esteban Lepaul (Rennes).
The official statement from the national team, posted on Twitter, highlighted the situation:
France lose Konaté to knee sprain as United's Yoro steps in
KONATE WITHDRAWN, YORO CALLED. Ibrahima Konaté, injured in the right knee and victim of a slight sprain, is handed over to his club. Leny Yoro replaces him and honours his first call‑up for the Blues.
Konaté’s injury leaves France’s defence more vulnerable and underlines the importance of Yoro, who makes his debut for the national team, while Real Madrid prepares to resume LaLiga.