France defender, Ibrahima Konate, has dismissed Lamine Yamal’s suggestion that Les Bleus should fear Spain ahead of their blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, insisting Didier Deschamps’ side remains focused, humble and has no plans to single out the Barcelona teenager, stressing that the entire Spanish team poses a threat.
Speaking from France’s training base in Boston, the Real Madrid centre-back said the French camp is concentrating on its own preparations rather than engaging in pre-match mind games ahead of Tuesday’s showdown in Arlington, Texas.
The exchange was sparked after Spain’s quarter-final win over Belgium, when Yamal suggested France should be the team feeling the pressure because of Spain’s recent dominance in the fixture.
Konate, however, insisted France are not distracted by such comments.
“Is France afraid of Spain? No. To be completely honest, we don’t pay attention to everything that’s said leading up to the game,” he told reporters.
“We shouldn’t be afraid of anyone. The important thing is to maintain the humility with which we started this competition and not fall into those kinds of traps, especially at a time like this. He can say whatever he wants. We’re going to prepare for the game as best we can, and I hope that, when it’s over, the result will be in our favour.”
Konate also warned against placing too much emphasis on stopping Yamal alone, describing Spain as a side blessed with quality throughout the squad.
When asked about plans to contain the teenage winger, Konate replied, “To be completely honest, we haven’t thought specifically about that. Spain is an exceptional team, with many top-level players. But the goal isn’t to focus on just one player, because the whole team can hurt you. It’s not just Lamine – it’s the whole of Spain.”
The centre-back also reflected on France’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, arguing that a lack of familiarity in the French defence contributed to the result.
He said, “We’re not going to lie: it was a very difficult match. But, honestly, if we’re honest with each other – and with all due respect to every player on this French national team – the starting lineup that took the field against Spain that day, especially on the defensive line, consisted of many players who hadn’t developed any chemistry with one another. It was the first time we’d all played together. and that made things complicated. I think that if that situation had been different, I honestly don’t think the match would have played out the same way.”
