Liverpool center-back Ibrahima Konate has announced the passing of his father, Hamady, in an emotional social media post following his absence from the club’s recent Champions League victory in Marseille.
The 26-year-old defender, who returned to France for personal reasons, shared funeral arrangements for this Friday and a poignant message stating, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.”
Prior to the confirmation, manager Arne Slot described the situation as “really sad” and noted the team’s missed presence of the Frenchman, though he prioritized the player’s family needs over footballing duties.
While Konate’s recent form has been vital to Liverpool’s 13-match unbeaten streak, he is expected to remain with his family for the upcoming fixture against Bournemouth to honor his father, of whom he shared the religious sentiment:
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘There is no deceased person over whom a group of Muslims numbering one hundred prays, all of them interceding for him, except that their intercession is accepted.'”