French defender Konate responds to Lamine Yamal: ‘He can say whatever he wants’

France again Spain meet at 2026 World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 15, and Lamine Yamal it’s already turned up the heat before the games start. Defender of Les Bleus Ibrahima Konate when asked about the comments of the Spanish star and he did not hold back: “He can say whatever he wants.”

Spain’s new victory over Belgium, Yamal wasted no time in setting the tone for the semifinal: “If anyone should be afraid, it’s him—we’re done with them. We are two big teams, for me the two best, but we have no fear at all. Ever since the World Cup started, everyone has been waiting for this game, and I really wanted it to come here. We are the two best national teams in the World Cup. Without fear at all, if anyone can go into the game against France with confidence, it’s us.“

The Barcelona teenager was also pointing to recent history, with Spain beat France in the Euro 2024 final and the 2025 Nations League final. The scores were tight each time, 2-1 and 5-4 respectively, but the results went Spain’s way on both occasions, and now the two teams meet again in the same stage of the big tournament.

Konate answers Yamal

When Yamal experienced his first World Cupseveral of his French opponents are either already world champions from 2018 or have the memory of failing in the 2022 final. Konate belongs to the latter groupand he responded to the Spaniard’s words with moderate intensity.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring against France in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League 2025.

Speaking on Sunday at a press conference at Bentley University, Konate was asked if France was threatened by Yamal’s words: “No, no, no… Honestly, we don’t listen to what is being said. You should not be afraid of anyone; we need to remain humble and not fall into that trapespecially at this stage of the competition.“

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The newly minted Real Madrid defender, who will face Yamal as the club’s La Liga rivals next season, closed with his direct message. “Now, he can say whatever he wants, we will try to prepare as much as we can. And at the end of the game, we will see who you like,” Konate added.

France’s record against Spain

Over the past decade, France and Spain have established themselves as two of the most dominant soccer nations in the world, staying out of FIFA’s top 10 throughout that time. However, in head-to-head meetings, Spain had the upper hand when it mattered most.

The two sides have met four times in the past decade, with Spain winning three of those games to France’s one. Les Bleus’ only win came in the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, a 2-1 win, while Spain’s recent 2-0 win in a 2017 friendly ended the picture in their favour.

Since Yamal’s arrival in the Spanish system, La Roja have extended that dominance, defeating France in the Euro 2024 final and the 2025 Nations League final. Adding to France’s concerns Yamal’s personal best in head-to-head matches against Kylian Mbappeand the young junior has won all five of their meetings in the playoffs.

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