Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate picks a side in Kylian Mbappe France row with clear message

Konate backs Mbappe over France manager Deschamps

Konate says Mbappe is 'a great player' and 'a leader'

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has backed Kylian Mbappe in his row with France manager Didier Deschamps. Mbappe was dropped for France's Nations League match against Croatia on Monday after he reportedly refused to take part in a marketing event. Deschamps said Mbappe's behaviour was "unacceptable" but Konate believes the striker was right to stand up for himself. "Kylian is a great player and a leader," Konate said. "He knows what he wants and he's not afraid to stand up for himself. "I think he was right to refuse to take part in the marketing event. He's not a commodity. He's a human being and he deserves to be treated with respect. "I'm proud of him for standing up for himself and I hope that other players will follow his example." Konate's comments come after Mbappe's mother, Fayza Lamari, said that her son was considering retiring from international football. Lamari said that Mbappe was "deeply affected" by Deschamps' decision to drop him and that he was "not sure if he wants to continue playing for France". It remains to be seen whether Mbappe will follow through with his threat to retire from international football.