Karim Konate is arguably the most exciting talent to come out of the Ivory Coast in the past couple of years. Providing the physicality of Sebastian Haller, the dribbling of Jeremie Boga, and the finishing of Wilfried Zaha, Konate is the complete package. It’s the reason why ASEC Mimosas sold Konate to Salzburg for a club-record fee of $3.5 million dollars; more expensive than the club’s next three most valuable exits.

There’s a reason he’s drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, who also played for Salzburg, and there’s a reason why he’s leading both FC Liefering and the Salzburg youth team in goals scored; he’s really good. Although he could not shine alongside youngsters like Enzo Fernandez and Josko Gvardiol in the World Cup, he might be just as good, if not better than them.

From Abidjan to Salzburg

Konate’s story starts in the village of Ouraghio, where footballers like Franck Kessie, Wilfried Singo, and more were born. But, before long he attracted attention from all over the Ivory Coast, handling interest from numerous top-flight clubs at the tender age of 19. It’s only fitting that the wunderkind chose the La Masia of Africa, ASEC Mimosas.