The third official presentation of the summer arrivals at Real Madrid took place today. After manager Jose Mourinho on Tuesday and Bernardo Silva yesterday, it was Ibrahima Konate’s turn.
The Real Madrid Sports City hosted the official welcome ceremony for the French defender as a new Real Madrid player continuing the new trend of a low-key ceremony, moving from the grand presentations the club used to do in the past.
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Konate presented as new Real Madrid player
President Florentino Perez received him in the boardroom, where the defender signed a contract that will keep him at the club for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2030.
After signing, Konate received a replica of the Santiago Bernabeu, a watch and a shirt bearing his name and the number 16.
Konate’s presentation finally took place. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Honorary Real Madrid president Jose Martínez Pirri also attended the ceremony.
Konate speaks
Following the official presentation, Konate briefly spoke to Real Madrid TV, wherein he explained what it meant for him to be a Real Madrid player.
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“It means a lot to me because the first shirt I ever had was the Real Madrid shirt, which was a gift from my older brother,” he recollected.
“From that moment on, I always dreamed of playing for this fantastic team and today I’m very happy to be living that dream.
“I know the club has very high expectations of anyone who wears this shirt and I’m here to fight for this team with everything I have, both on and off the pitch.”
On what it felt like seeing Real Madrid’s 15 European Cups lined up together, he added:
“I feel great. I only regret one, the one in Paris in 2022, because I was playing for Liverpool at the time and Madrid won that Champions League again.”
Eyeing more success with Real Madrid. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
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Continuing, he added: “I want to be part of Real Madrid’s history and I want to win trophies, win the Champions League with this team and be part of its history forever.”
He then thanked the president and everyone involved, in perfect Spanish, for making his dream a “reality.”
Concluding, Konate said: “I promise to give everything for this shirt.”
Konate joined Real Madrid for free after choosing not to renew his contract with Liverpool.
With his signing, Mourinho gains greater depth in a position that was severely affected by injuries last season.
As things stand, the French international could start alongside Dean Huijsen in Saturday’s La Liga opener vs RCD Espanyol.
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