Konate reveals depression after deaths of Jota & father

Konate reveals depression after deaths of Jota & fatherImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ibrahima Konate joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021BySteve SutcliffeBBC Sport journalistPublishedJust nowFormer Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has opened up on how the deaths of team-mate Diogo Jota and his father left him battling depression during his final season at the club. Portugal forward Jota and his brother Andre Silva, tragically died in a car crash last July, while Konate's dad, Hamady, passed away in January after a long illness.The France international's form was visibly affected in his final campaign at Anfield and the 27-year-old has now outlined the personal turmoil he was going through. "There are low points, there's depression. You can suffer from depression in football too; there's no need to be ashamed to say so," he told France Inter radio., external"It's true that I've often heard players say they were suffering from depression and that fans or people on the outside didn't understand because they were earning a lot of money. But no, that's rubbish and you shouldn't say that."Depression is personal; it's deep inside you. When you're depressed, it starts in the heart, goes up to the brain and takes over your whole body. For me, that's what's hard, and we need to talk about it."Konate, who is closing in on a move to Real Madrid after his Anfield departure was confirmed last week, said the tragic death of Jota, who was also one of his neighbours during his time on Merseyside, had a shattering impact. "It devastated me. I didn't have any interest in anything else at that point," he added."You go back to football because you have no choice. We're employees at a club that pays us every month, so we have duties."We had no choice but to go back on the field and play for him and his family – as well as ourselves. There's no...