Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has received high praise from former RB Leipzig Director of Football, Ralf Rangnick, Soccernet.football reports.
Rangnick, who was an interim manager at Manchester United during the 2021/22 season, described the French international as one of the best signings in Leipzig’s history.
Now managing Austria, Rangnick spoke about his admiration for Konaté in an interview with Canal+ and shared memories of his time scouting and signing the centre-back.
Konaté, 25, joined Leipzig from French side Sochaux in 2017, after signing his first professional contract with the Bundesliga club.
Rangnick recalled being instantly captivated by the young defender’s potential: “I remember very well the day our scouting department in Leipzig showed clips from your Sochaux days. I instantly fell in love with your game,” he said in a video message to Konaté.
Rangnick also recalled meeting Konaté in Paris with his family, where he was impressed not only by the player’s ability but also by his character.
“I saw straight away you were an amazing person and player with a top-class upbringing. All of the latter proved true. You are without doubt the best signing, or one of the best signings, we did at Leipzig in the last 12 years.”
Konaté, moved by Rangnick’s words, expressed gratitude for his former manager’s tribute, saying, “He’s an extremely important person to me.”
Konaté’s journey continued with a 2021 transfer to Liverpool for £36 million, where he quickly made an impact by helping the Reds win the EFL Cup and FA Cup in his debut season.
On the international stage, Konaté received his first call-up to France’s senior team in June 2022, replacing the injured Raphaël Varane for UEFA Nations League fixtures.
He made his international debut days later in a 1–1 draw against Austria and went on to be included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, playing a key role as France advanced to the final.