The criticism is too much and I didn’t do anything wrong there..they just want to end my career just like they did to him…if this is how champions league is then I’m OUT!” Liverpool Defender Ibrahim Konate finally responds to critics after narrow win against PSG yesterday.

Following Liverpool’s tense 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League, Ibrahima Konaté has become the focus of intense media attention. The French defender’s physical challenge on PSG’s Bradley Barcola in the 25th minute ignited widespread debate, with many questioning why the referee did not brandish a card.

The moment in question saw Konaté seemingly push Barcola near the penalty area, prompting passionate protests from PSG for a red card. A VAR review took place, but officials ruled the contact insufficient for a sending-off, allowing Konaté to continue. This left various pundits and supporters in shock. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, analyzing the match for TNT Sports, strongly voiced his opinion, declaring, “That’s a foul. And that’s in his back, that’s a foul. It’s a red card.”

PSG’s sporting advisor, Luis Campos, was visibly furious about the decision. Camera footage from the tunnel at halftime showed Campos confronting the referee, exclaiming, “It’s a red card or penalty in every part of the world.”

As criticism mounted, Konaté addressed the media post-match to defend his actions. Speaking with Canal+, he asserted, “There was a VAR check. If there was a push, like you said, I would have been shown a red card. I’m telling you that there wasn’t a foul. It’s true that I am very strong but I don’t apply power, I just put my arm. If I had put a lot more power into it then we could talk about it…but it was soft from me.”

The defender further voiced his frustration over the backlash, remarking, “The criticism is too much, and I didn’t do anything wrong there. They just want to end my career just like they did to him. If this is how Champions League is, then I’m OUT!” While it remains unclear whom Konaté referred to with “him,” his words reflect a deep sense of discontent with what he sees as unwarranted condemnation.

Despite the controversy, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, backed his player and commended the referee’s handling of the game. Slot stated, “It’s not easy if you are a referee in a game like this when the fans are so there for the home team. I don’t feel he was in favor of us or in favor of them; I think he was a top referee in a game like this.”

The match itself showcased Liverpool’s resilience. Under sustained pressure from PSG, the Reds secured a late winner, thanks to the contributions of substitutes Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez. Elliott’s clinical strike in the final moments gave Liverpool a crucial edge heading into the second leg at Anfield.

Reflecting on the triumph in his home city, Konaté described the occasion as “very special.” He acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stating, “We knew PSG are a great team, maybe one of the best in Europe… At the end, we go with 1-0, and I think this is great.” However, he also issued a warning, stressing that the tie is far from decided and that Liverpool must stay sharp for the return leg.

As the discussion continues, Konaté’s firm defense of his actions highlights the intense scrutiny top footballers endure. Whether his challenge merited a red card remains a hotly debated issue, but one certainty remains: the incident has injected even more drama into an already thrilling Champions League matchup.