If Ismaël Koné had forgotten that at 20 he is the most haloed Quebec soccer player, a short trip to his hometown refreshed his memory.
First, on May 27, he was at Saputo Stadium to see his former club, CF Montreal, take the measure of Inter Miami. The supporters spoiled themselves. Photos, autographs and generous dialogue during half-time and after the match were on the menu for the midfielder.
Then, on June 4, he continued his tour with a stop at the Verdun Auditorium. During a game of the Alliance of Montreal, he indulged in the ritornello. He took on a crowd bath again and certainly made the evening of many fans of round balls, soccer or basketball.
It is also along the lines of the Montreal prosecutor’s office that he allocated a few minutes to The Press for an impromptu interview. Note that he first took care to meet each supporter who requested it before lending himself to the exercise.
“Here is always my home. It’s my city. It makes me happy to come home and see so much love and support. If I can please people as they do when they come to support me, it’s even more pleasant for me, ”he said with a smile, and especially with his usual calm.
A pivotal year
The last 12 months have passed quickly for the native of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. He established himself as an important part of CF Montreal, particularly during the final stretch of the campaign, and accumulated more than a hundred minutes at the World Cup. What’s more, he subsequently left the Montreal club for the English second division with Watford, where he appeared in 16 of the 20 league games for the former club of Elton John after his arrival.
While he made a point of highlighting the efforts of the Hornets, who greatly facilitated the transition by taking care of all the administrative aspects, he also insisted on the contributions of the work of Wilfried Nancy in his quest.
English football is much more direct than MLS. With Wilfried, we kept possession more, but he had prepared me for everything, because we were able to do both. You could go straight or suck the opponent in. So I think that little by little, I’m adapting well.
Ismael Kone
Exactly. Why does it fit well? What progressed in his game? The main interested party believes he knows why.
“I think I trust myself more now,” he explained. I realize the player I am today. I know myself better and I take more risks and often it works. As a player, you have to test yourself, see where your limits are. I think that’s the difference. »
At the heart of the national team
The rise in performance of Koné has also crystallized in the national team. Admittedly, he took part in all three games at the World Cup, but it was the sequel that was interesting for him on a personal level. With the inevitable retirement of captain of the maple leaf Atiba Hutchinson, the Quebecer has something to play for in the midfield position.
PHOTO THAIER AL-SUDANI, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Ismaël Koné with the Canadian team
The Canadian coach saw it well. John Herdman has placed Koné at the center of the new cycle of the Canadian team in view of the 2026 World Cup, which will be partially presented in Canada. The pilot has also established Koné during the two games after the World Cup.
During the press briefing after a match against Honduras, the English coach praised the former CF Montreal player’s game.
This is one of the best performances for a Canadian midfielder that I have seen! If he keeps his feet on the ground, there are no limits for him. He is the master of his destiny.
John Herdman, Canada coach
That’s saying something.
However, before thinking about what he could become or the next World Cup, Koné sees himself going one year at a time. Now is the appropriate time as with the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals to be held later in June and the Gold Cup approaching, he should be busy this summer.
“For the moment, I am someone who does not see too far. I take it one year at a time, especially since I feel like I’m getting better every year. […] I am not someone who thinks that in 2026, he is guaranteed to be on the starting lineup, I am calm. I tell myself that in 2026, the coach will make his choices and we will have to respect them. »
Always on the lookout for his old club
Before even finishing the question, Koné hastened to answer that he watched several matches of the 2023 edition of the Bleu-blanc-noir. Not just the one he attended in person. Naturally, he noted the difference in strategy between the game offered by former pilot Wilfried Nancy, whom he rubbed shoulders with, and Hernán Losada, in office since the end of December 2022. “Everyone has their philosophy and you have to respect it. I’m happy, because they were able to get victories and when I passed, they won too, ”he dropped with a smile.
The influence of Stephen Eustáquio
One player who will be alongside Koné for the next few years is midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. The Quebecer couldn’t be more delighted than to have the FC Porto player – the team’s metronome – as a colleague. “To play with this kind of player with this quality [comme Stephen], it allows me to learn so much every time. Just watching and listening to it, I learn a lot. As much on the tactical level, mentally as on my offensive and defensive game”, he underlined.