Kylian Mbappe publicly endorses Real Madrid pursuit of Dayot Upamecano as private Ibrahima Konate comments emerge

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·12. November 2025

Kylian Mbappe publicly endorses Real Madrid pursuit of Dayot Upamecano as private Ibrahima Konate comments emerge

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has publicly given his verdict on Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano, while the French star’s private comments on Liverpool ace Ibrahima Konate have also been revealed in the Spanish media.

Liverpool star Konate and Bayern ace Upamecano are two of the centre-backs on Madrid’s radar for 2026. While Konate is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, Upamecano will become a free agent next summer when his current deal with Bayern Munich ends.

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Sources have told TEAMtalk that Real Madrid are keen on a summer deal for Konate, who, though, has been handed a new contract offer from Liverpool, according to French publication L’Equipe.

The Madrid striker has been speaking to the media ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Thursday, and the former Paris Saint-Germain star has been singing Upamecano’s praises.

Marca quotes Mbappe as saying about Upamecano: “He’s doing very well, he’s very confident, full of self-assurance.

“He’s in the debate about who is the best defender in the world. For me, he’s one of those dominant defenders.

“He’s capable of running with the forwards, of winning duels. He’s a tactical asset.

“He’s at a great club, Bayern, there aren’t many better… But there are better ones (smiles).

“I’m not going to say anything, I’m not going to get into that debate, out of respect for his club and for him because I know that if I say something, he’ll be under more pressure, but when you talk about a player of this calibre, all the clubs will be on the lookout to sign him.”

What Kylian Mbappe has told Real Madrid about Ibrahima Konate

While Mbappe has gone public with his admiration of Upamecano, the striker has also spoken highly of Liverpool ace Konate internally at Madrid.

E-Noticies reported this week that Mbappe has told Madrid to sign Konate after playing against him in the Champions League at Anfield last week.

“Mbappe has spoken very highly of Konate and Upamecano at Real Madrid, even admitting that they are two of the players who are currently ‘the best in the world in their position’”, according to the report.