France defender Konate responds to Lamine Yamal: 'He can say whatever he wants'

France defender Ibrahima Konate played down Lamine Yamal’s pre-semifinal comments ahead of the 2026 World Cup matchup, telling reporters that the Spain forward “can say whatever he wants.” France and Spain meet in the semifinals on Tuesday, July 15, at the start of a high-stakes stage that Yamal has framed as a confidence test for both teams. After Spain’s win over Belgium, Yamal warned France there is “absolutely no fear” and cited prior meetings, including Spain’s 2-1 Euro 2024 semifinal result and a 5-4 Nations League final in 2025. Speaking Sunday at a press conference at Bentley University, Konate said France would not focus on comments and emphasized humility. The newly minted Real Madrid defender added that preparation will be key and outcomes will be decided on the pitch.