I didn't spend on cars, clothes, shoes — Liverpool star reveals how family saved his career

Liverpool defender Ibrahim Konate recently shed light on how instrumental his family, specifically his brothers, have been to his growth and career. 

The France international was a teenage sensation. Hence, he said he had needed his brothers to protect him since the inception of his career up until now. 

He said they serve as guidance to him, and he dreads disappointing them so much that he spends money judiciously, afraid of what they might think otherwise. 

As reported by the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old, who is the second-youngest of eight children, stressed the importance of the guidance of his brothers. 

"I became the player I am today thanks to each one of them [my brothers],” he said. “From my first steps at Paris Université Club twenty years ago to Liverpool, they have always been a fundamental help. 

“I didn't spend anything at all on hedonistic and personal pleasures. No new car, no clothes, no shoes. Nothing. I was too afraid they'd tell me I'd changed. 

He said his brothers help protect him from shady individuals looking to exploit him, highlighting their protective role. 

"You have no idea how much footballers need [family]. Many people, more or less well-intentioned, roam around us. 95% of them come because I'm Konate, the football player, and not Ibrahima, the person.”

“They want to take advantage of my fame, but they don't really care about me. As soon as someone wants to approach me, they filter them out."

Meanwhile, Konaté currently earns around £70,000 weekly at Liverpool. He has been stalling on a contract renewal, which would have improved his wages, as his contract expires at the end of the season, allowing him to join any club as a free agent.