Ibrahima Konate dealt World Cup blow as he finds out where France boss ranks him

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Ibrahima Konate has been restricted to just 14 minutes of action for France at this summer's World Cup, and his chances of getting any more took a major hit during Tuesday's semi-final against SpainIbrahima Konate has endured a difficult World Cup with France this summerIbrahima Konate suffered a new low at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday when he was snubbed in favor of Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix to replace William Saliba during France's semi-final against Spain.The former Liverpool defender has been restricted to just 14 minutes of action for his nation at this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Saliba and Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano preferred by head coach Didier Deschamps as his center-back pairing.Konate, 27, who last month secured a four-year deal with Real Madrid following his departure from Anfield at the end of last season, had only appeared as a second-half substitute in France's 4-1 victory over Norway in Les Bleus' final group game on June 26, but looked as though he was finally set to add to his brief cameo during today's semi-final against Spain.In the 29th minute at Dallas Stadium, Saliba was forced off through injury after going down untouched, with the cause of the issue unclear.Nonetheless, all eyes turned to the bench as Deschamps prepared to make a change, and the majority of Liverpool fans would have been expecting Konate to come on in Saliba's place, only to find that it was instead Lacroix who had been chosen to feature.Like Konate, the Crystal Palace defender's only other appearance at the tournament came in the group-stage victory over Norway, but unlike the former Liverpool man in that match, the ex-Wolfsburg star played the full 90 minutes.Maxence Lacroix was favored over Konate to replace William Saliba for France against Spain in Tuesday's semi-finalDespite this, not many would have still predicted Lacroix to be ahead of Konate in the pecking order, but as it happened, he was picked ahead of the Real Madrid summer signing to replace Saliba in the heart of the French defense.It came as a huge blow to Konate and further solidified his ranking as the fourth-choice center back in France's World Cup squad, rubbing salt into the wounds of the former RB Leipzig man following a rather underwhelming season.Konate made 51 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool last season alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Arne Slot's defense, though it proved to be a largely miserable campaign as the Reds failed to retain their Premier League title and win any silverware.Across five campaigns on Merseyside, however, Konate won four trophies and made 183 appearances for Liverpool, scoring seven times, though ultimately, he was unable to reach an agreement on fresh terms with the club.Konate's only previous appearance at this summer's World Cup was during the final group stage match against NorwayFrank Leboeuf, who claimed the World Cup with France in 1998 and the European Championship two years later, has cast doubt on whether his compatriot will be a success at the Bernabeu next season, citing his concerning drop in form over the past year."Ibrahima Konate was one of the best defenders in the world a year and a half ago," Lebouef told BOYLE Sports. "However, last season, both of them, along with many other Liverpool players, were only shadows of themselves."If Ibrahima can get back to his best, it would be fantastic for Real Madrid.

He would be partnering with Dean Huijsen, that would be great. I would love to see that pairing at their best.

Now, I have my doubts, so I will have to wait and see how it works."