For almost a year, Karim Konate was sidelined with a knee injury. It was a tough time, demanding both mental and physical resilience from our young striker. Slowly but surely, a return to the pitch is approaching. In this interview, Karim talks to us about the most difficult period, those who helped him, and what he has missed most.

Karim Konate interview

{"titleEn":null,"description":null,"tags":null,"focusX":0.0,"focusY":0.0}

Karim, almost a year has passed since your knee injury. How does it feel, and what's the current plan?

"It really has been a long time and a very long road back. Now, step by step, my comeback is finally taking shape, and that's an incredibly wonderful feeling! The hard work is paying off. I'm already training with the team again and can participate in more and more of the training sessions. I really hope that I'll soon be back to 100 percent soon and then be able to get my first minutes back on the pitch."

{"titleEn":"Karim Konate Rehab Work","description":"SALZBURG, AUSTRIA: Karim Konate of FC Red Bull Salzburg seen doing some rehab work at the club's Taxham Training Facility in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Sylvain Carretero)","tags":null,"focusX":0.0,"focusY":0.0}

Recovering from an injury like that can be a mental challenge. What was the biggest difficulty for you personally during these months?

"The initial period after the injury was, of course, the worst. It's incredibly difficult to suddenly be sidelined and unable to be with the team. That was a tough blow. Then you realize that you have no other option but to work hard for your comeback – and, step by step, things got better mentally as well."

What did you miss most during your long time out?

"Just playing football! And, of course, scoring goals – that's all part of it for me."

I don't doubt things easily. I firmly believe that everything in our lives happens for a reason.

Karim Konate

Were there moments when you had any kind of doubt?

"No, I'm not the type of person who doubts things. I don't doubt things easily. I firmly believe that everything in our lives happens for a reason. When I pray and seek closeness to God, it's easier for me to accept such blows of fate."

You mentioned the mental aspect. What's daily life like during a recovery like that?

"It's similar to when you're playing and healthy: you go to training every day and have a set routine. During an injury, it's the therapy you focus on day after day, and you don't think too much about anything else. The first two months were particularly difficult, though, because you're very dependent on others and can only walk with crutches. That was the period when I needed a lot of people to help."

I was treated to the best African food - that was definitely the best part of my time injured!

Karim Konate

Who helped you the most during this time? Was there someone on the team or in your social circle who helped you to stay motivated?

“Oh yes! Mamady [Diambou] and his wife! They were a huge help to me. They cooked for me every day—although I think it was more his wife who did—and then brought it to my house. I was treated to the best African food - that was definitely the best part of my time injured! I'm incredibly grateful to them for that. When he was still here, Dorgeles [Nene] also helped me a lot. Not to forget, either, my taxi driver, Luca, who drove me around a lot during that time!”

Were you able to feel like part of the team while not being able to play?

“At first, I had many therapy sessions off-site, at the APC [Athlete Performance Center] in Thalgau, mostly while the team was training in Taxham at the same time. I didn't see the guys much then. But now I've been back in Taxham for a while, doing my programme there, watching a lot of the training sessions, and of course, I've always been at the home games to support the team from the stands.”

Looking back on the past year: What did you learn about yourself during this time?

“I learned to really listen to my body. I think I can now better judge what's too much or too little for my health. It also showed me that life has its ups and downs and that health really is the most important thing. You only truly appreciate the value of health when you're sick. Being injured this year is now part of my life story, and I have to accept that before hopefully moving forward with full force.”

What are your personal goals for the coming weeks and months when you're back in full swing?

"Goals, goals, goals! That's my aim, to help the team. Just being able to play again, to be back on the pitch with the lads in front of the fans, will be an absolute joy for me. I'm really looking forward to it."

Karim Konate's long way back