Ibrahima Konaté (23, two selections) could well start the World Cup in the shoes of a holder, Tuesday evening against Australia (8 p.m., TF 1).
At a press conference, he returned this Sunday to Karim Benzema's package, the day before, and already returned to Madrid.
A crushing blow to quickly digest for the whole group.
You played for four years with Dayot Upamecano in Leipzig, how close are you on and off the pitch?
IBRAHIMA KONATE.
With Dayot we played for a long time together, we have automatisms, a strong friendship.
It's like my brother, we shared good times in Leipzig.
We are constantly in contact outside of football, it's been a long time since I've seen him and I'm very happy.
(…) There is a good understanding but that is not why I will fight more for him than for another.
Have you seen the signs of a World Cup call-up in recent weeks in Liverpool?
I was affected by an injury which kept me away from the field for a few months.
It was difficult, but I told myself that I still had big games to play and that if I performed well I could be there.
We waited for the list, I'm in.
It doesn't matter who I start with, whether I start or not, I'm going to be ready.
(...) It's a dream (to be in the France team) which is coming true, a goal that I have achieved and now that I'm there, you have to stop dreaming.
Do you have a preference between right axial or left axial?
It's true that at Liverpool I have more opportunities to play right wing, but I also played left wing at Liverpool and performed well.
I prefer to evolve on the right because I have my habits in this position, but I have no worries about that.
How did you experience Karim Benzema's injury which led to his withdrawal for the entire competition?
I didn't see him go out in training it was during the game, he had to do some exams, it was a bit late.
We all went to bed and we heard the news the next morning, it hurts but our goal does not change.
It's part of the things of football, we must not look behind.
If we start looking at these things, it could be complicated.
Can the bad luck that affects the team impact the group?
As we have seen in each nation, there have been many injuries.
It is true that in the France team there were many, in addition to the executives.
It can impact us but I have confidence in our qualities, I have confidence in the team, we will give everything on the pitch to achieve our objectives, win against Australia on Tuesday, then the next one and not think about the final square before the hour.
Does Raphaël Varane's return to training reassure you?
There are players behind, but Raphaël has the experience, we will need him in this competition.
The medical protocol he followed ensured that he was ready for the games to come.
I'm not worried, I think he will be ready for this competition.
How do you view the climate?
Playing at 10 p.m. (local time) will make things easier for us because the sun will not be at its zenith, it will be easier for us.
The heat changes from the one we have in Europe, it will be a difficult point for each team, an essential detail of this competition.
(...) I heard that the stadiums were going to be air-conditioned, but I don't know at what level.
If air conditioning makes everyone easier, it's easier for us.