Ibrahima Konate returns to Paris with Liverpool aiming to conquer world

Ibrahima Konate left Paris as a 14-year-old with a dream of just being a professional footballer but he returns to his home city for the Champions League final aiming to become the best defender in the world.

The Frenchman grew up in the city’s 11th arrondissement within five miles of the Stade de France, where Saturday’s showpiece against Real Madrid takes place.

He played street football in the cages interspersed among the flats and apartment buildings but did not actually get to the national stadium until he had left for Sochaux as a 14-year-old and returned to watch the club’s under-18s win the Coupe Gambadella in 2015.

Now he goes back looking to help Liverpool win a second Champions League in four years and seventh European Cup in their history – a far cry from his humble beginnings.

“My dream at that time was simply to be a professional football player. Just a pro football player,” he said.

“Of course, when I was 14 I didn’t have in my head the idea of being in a top club – if someone had asked me then, ‘at what age will you be when you could maybe be playing for Liverpool?’ I’d have said 28, 29.

“At that time, the dream was to be playing pro. I couldn’t think beyond that. The dream or goal now? To be, one day, the best central defender in the world. And to win all the titles going. Every one.”

To achieve his personal ambition he will have to take over the mantel from teammate Virgil Van Dijk, generally regarded as currently the best in his position.

From La Roquette, Paris to Anfield, Liverpool