Ibrahima Konate courageously opens up about losing Diogo Jota and his dad.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who’s leaving the club when his contract ends this June, has opened up about some very tough times he’s faced recently. In a heartfelt interview, he talked about the loss of his teammate Diogo Jota and his own father, Hamady, and how it affected him during his last season at Anfield.
Konate, a French international, shared that it’s okay to admit when you’re struggling, even if you’re a footballer. He explained that depression can affect anyone, no matter how much money they make or how successful they seem. “Depression is deep inside you. It starts in the heart, moves to the brain, and takes over your whole body. That’s the hard part, and we need to talk about it,” he said.
The 27-year-old also spoke about how heartbroken he was when Jota, who was also his neighbor, died in a car accident in July 2025. Even though it was incredibly painful, Konate said he had to keep playing. “At that moment, I couldn’t care about anything else. We go back to football because it’s our job. We play for him, for his family, and for ourselves. You don’t get over it; you just learn to live with it,” he explained.
On top of grieving for Jota, Konate was dealing with his father’s serious illness. He confessed that he didn’t know whether to stop playing and go home, but kept his feelings to himself. “I didn’t talk about it, and that’s something I’d advise others not to do. When you feel down, talk to someone around you—it really helps. I learned that the hard way,” he said.
Sadly, Hamady passed away in January. Konate took compassionate leave for three games but came back early because his team needed him. He even scored in his first game back, a 4-1 win over Newcastle. Still, he admitted he never really felt okay after losing both his teammate and his father. “These tragic events happened so fast, and just when I thought I was starting to feel better, something else happened,” he shared. Konate thanked the Liverpool fans, his teammates, and his family for their support, but said he also had to find his own strength to keep going. “I know my dad would have wanted me to get back on my feet,” he added.
This summer, Konate is expected to join Real Madrid.
If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, remember that help is available. The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support every day from 5pm to midnight. You can call them at 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat if you prefer not to talk on the phone. You don’t have to face it alone.