Ismaël Koné
{{Short description|Soccer player (born 2002)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Similar names|Ismael Kone (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ismaël Koné
| image = Kone asse om 2425.png
| caption = Koné with Marseille in 2024
| full_name = Ismaël Kenneth Jordan Koné{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Canada (CAN) |publisher=FIFA |page=6 |date=November 15, 2022 |access-date=November 15, 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2002|6|16}}
| birth_place = Abidjan, Ivory Coast
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Rennes
(on loan from Marseille)
| clubnumber = 90
| youthyears1 = 2012–2018
| youthclubs1 = AS Notre-Dame-de-Grâce
| youthyears2 = 2019–2020
| youthclubs2 = CS Saint-Laurent
| youthyears3 = 2020–2021
| youthclubs3 = CF Montréal
| years1 = 2021–2022
| clubs1 = CF Montréal
| caps1 = 26
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2022–2024
| clubs2 = Watford
| caps2 = 58
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Marseille
| caps3 = 8
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2025–
| clubs4 = → Rennes (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2022–
| nationalteam1 = Canada
| nationalcaps1 = 28
| nationalgoals1 = 3
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|CAN}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's soccer}}
{{MedalCompetition|CONCACAF Nations League}}
{{Medal|RU|2023 United States|}}
{{Medal|3rd|2025 United States|}}
| club-update = April 6, 2025
| nationalteam-update = March 23, 2025
}}
Ismaël Kenneth Jordan Koné (born June 16, 2002) is a professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Rennes, on loan from Marseille. Born in Ivory Coast, he represents Canada at international level.
Early life
Koné was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.{{Cite news|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/2021-08-13/le-cf-montreal-ajoute-le-jeune-ismael-kone-a-sa-formation.php|title=Le CF Montréal ajoute le jeune Ismaël Koné à sa formation|trans-title=CF Montreal adds young Ismaël Koné to its roster|date=August 13, 2021|work=La Presse|language=fr}} In 2010, he moved to Canada with his mother at age 7, growing up in Montreal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvasports.ca/2021/09/07/ismael-kone-la-carte-cachee|trans-title=Ismaël Koné: The Hidden Map|title=Ismaël Koné: La Carte Cachée|first=Dave|last=Lévesque|date=September 7, 2021|work=TVA Sports|language=fr}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/sports/soccer/2022-10-17/cf-montreal/ismael-kone-un-joueur-special.php|title=Ismaël Koné, un joueur " spécial "|trans-title=Ismaël Koné, a “special” player|language=fr|date=October 17, 2022|first=Jean-François|last=Téotonio|work=La Presse}} Two years later, he began playing youth soccer with the AS Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Panthers.{{Cite web|url=https://journalmetro.com/local/saint-laurent/2782305/ancien-du-cs-saint-laurent-ismael-kone-fait-vibrer-stade-olympique/|title=Un ancien du CS Saint-Laurent fait vibrer le Stade olympique|language=fr|trans-title=A former CS Saint-Laurent rocks the Olympic Stadium|first=Olivier|last=Boivin|date=February 24, 2022|work=Journal Métro}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rds.ca/soccer/cfm/ismael-kone-la-proximite-de-l-echec-1.16369590|title=Ismaël Koné : la proximité de l'échec|trans-title=Ismaël Koné: the proximity of failure|language=fr|date=November 2, 2022|first=Nicolas|last=Landry|work=RDS}} When he was 16, he joined CS Saint-Laurent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/cf-montreal-sign-midfielder-ismael-kone|title=CF Montréal sign midfielder Ismael Kone|date=August 13, 2021|first=Tom|last=Bogert|work=Major League Soccer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/isma%C3%ABk-kon%C3%A9-soccer-montreal-fifa-1.6585767|title=Montreal's Ismaël Koné bursts into soccer's global spotlight|first=Douglas|last=Gelevan|date=September 18, 2022|work=CBC}} With CS Saint-Laurent he earned the bronze medal at the 2019 Canadian Under-17 Championship. He went on trial in Belgium with Genk and Mouscron, but was unable to sign with Mouscron as they did not have the funds available to sign a non-European player.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3836197/2022/11/14/ismael-kone-world-cup-platform-with-canada/|title=Canada's Ismael Kone on the World Cup and his breakout year: 'I don't want to play like anyone else'|date=November 14, 2022|first=Joshua|last=Kloke|work=The Athletic}} Soon afterwards, he was forced to return to Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he began training with CF Montreal U23 and earned an invite to the first team's training camp in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvasports.ca/2021/08/12/la-prochaine-pepite-du-cf-montreal|trans-title=The Next "Nugget" of CF Montreal|language=fr|first=Emeric|last=Montminy|title=La Prochain "Pépite" du CF Montréal?|work=TVA Sports|date=August 12, 2021}}
Club career
=CF Montréal=
After a few months training with the CF Montréal first team, initially unable to sign a contract due to “some technicalities in MLS rules,”{{Cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/sports-pmn/cf-montreal-sign-19-year-old-m-ismael-kone|title=CF Montreal sign 19-year-old M Ismael Kone|date=August 13, 2021|work=National Post}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.985fm.ca/nouvelles/sports/422063/soccer-ismael-kone-un-des-plus-beaux-espoirs-au-quebec|title=Ismaël Koné, " un des plus beaux espoirs au Québec "|first=Jeremy|last=Filosa|language=fr|trans-title=Ismaël Koné, "one of the most beautiful hopes in Quebec"|date=September 7, 2021|work=CHMP-FM 98.5 FM|access-date=March 19, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025012725/https://www.985fm.ca/nouvelles/sports/422063/soccer-ismael-kone-un-des-plus-beaux-espoirs-au-quebec|url-status=dead}} Koné officially signed a two-year contract with two option years on August 13, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://en.cfmontreal.com/news/ismael-kone-signs-with-first-team|title=Ismaël Kone signs with first team|work=CF Montreal|date=August 13, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/09/07/retenez-le-nom-dismael-kone|first=Dave|last=Lévesque|language=fr|date=September 7, 2021|trans-title=Remember the name of Ismaël Koné|title=Retenez le nom d'Ismaël Koné|work=Le Journal de Montréal}} However, soon after signing his contract he suffered a knee injury, which limited his participation in training.{{Cite web|url=https://lookcharms.com/ismael-kone-is-ready-to-come-and-lend-a-hand-to-cf-montreal/|title=Ismaël Koné is ready to come and lend a hand to CF Montreal|work=Look Charms|date=September 8, 2021}} After the 2021 season, he went to train with Montreal's sister club, Italian Serie A club Bologna.{{Cite web|url=https://destroyandprogress.substack.com/p/who-is-ismael-kone-exploring-more?s=r|title=Who is Ismael Koné? A deep dive into the rapidly improving 19-year-old CF Montreal midfielder set to earn first CanMNT call-up this March window|date=March 18, 2022|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic|work=Destroy and Progress}} Koné made his professional debut and scored his first goal with Montreal in a 3–0 win against Santos Laguna on February 23, 2022, in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.{{Cite web|url=https://btsvancity.com/2022/02/23/im-happy-with-the-result-cf-montreal-erases-santos-laguna-heartbreak-with-commanding-3-0-win-to-advance-to-champions-league-quarter-finals/|title="I'm happy with the result" CF Montreal erases Santos Laguna heartbreak with commanding 3–0 win to advance to Champions League quarter-finals|first=Alexandre|last=Gangué-Ruzic|date=February 23, 2022|work=BTS Van City}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tvasports.ca/2022/02/26/scenario-reve-pour-ismael-kone|title=Scénario rêvé pour Ismaël Koné|language=fr|first=Dave|last=Lévesque|work=TVA Sports|date=February 27, 2022 |trans-title=Dream scenario for Ismaël Koné}} During the 2022 summer transfer window, English Championship clubs Sheffield United and Norwich City were reported to have approached Montréal over Koné's services.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/cf-montreal-wunderkind-ismael-kone-seeks-great-leap-in-mls-cup-playoffs|title=CF Montréal wunderkind Ismaël Koné seeks great leap in MLS Cup Playoffs|first=Charles|last=Boehm|website=Major League Soccer|date=October 22, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://journalmetro.com/local/saint-laurent/2897101/cf-montreal-ismael-kone-demeure-club/|title=CF Montréal: Ismaël Koné demeure avec le club|trans-title=CF Montreal: Ismaël Koné remains with the club|language=fr|date=September 2, 2022|first=Clément|last=Gaboury|work=Journal Métro}}
=Watford=
In December 2022, English Championship club Watford announced they had agreed to sign Koné on a transfer from CF Montréal, with the midfielder signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.{{cite web|title=Official: Hornets Sign Koné|date=December 5, 2022|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/official-hornets-sign-kone|work=Watford Football Club}} He made his debut on January 7, 2023, starting an FA Cup match against Reading.{{cite web|url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/23235429.watford-fa-cup-new-injury-concern/|title=Watford out of the FA Cup, but new injury is of more concern|date=January 7, 2022|work=Watford Observer|first=Andrew|last=French}} Koné scored his first goal for Watford in a 3–2 win over Norwich on November 28, 2023.{{Cite web |title='A moment of magic' {{!}} Ismael Kone pulls one back for Watford against Norwich |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/13018430/isma235l-kone-hits-a-rocket-as-watford-look-to-get-back-into-the-game |access-date=2023-11-29 |website=SkySports |language=en}} In June 2024, Marseille would announce that they had reached an agreement with Watford to sign Koné pending a medical, with Watford confirming that Koné would depart the club after appearing in 63 games and scoring 4 goals.{{cite web|url=https://www.om.fr/en/news/4808/club/89396-official-statement-om|title=Official Statement of OM|website=Olympique de Marseille|date=June 28, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/2024/june/28/official-kone-departs/|title=Koné Departs|website=Watford FC|date=June 28, 2024}}
= Marseille =
On 28 June 2024, it was announced Ligue 1 club Olympique Marseille had reached an agreement for the permanent signing of Koné,{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Communiqué officiel de l'OM |url=https://www.om.fr/fr/actualites/4808/club/89393-communique-officiel-de-lom |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=www.om.fr |publisher=Olympique de Marseille |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-29 |title=Ismael Kone: Watford midfielder moves to Marseille |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3grlj4er1go |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} for a reported transfer fee of £15m including add-ons.{{cite web |last=Leventhal |first=Adam |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5592491/2024/06/26/ismael-kone-marseille-kone-transfer/ |title=Marseille agree deal in principle with Watford for Canada midfielder Ismael Kone |work=The New York Times |date=26 June 2024 }}
== Loan to Rennes ==
On 3 February 2025, Koné joined Rennes on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.staderennais.com/actualites/mercato/ismael-kone-prete-par-lolympique-de-marseille |title=Ismaël Koné prêté par l’Olympique de Marseille |publisher=Stade Rennais FC |language=fr |date=3 February 2025 }}
International career
File:Ismaël Koné WC2022 (cropped 2).jpg at the 2022 FIFA World Cup]]Koné was eligible to play for Canada and the Ivory Coast. In March 2022, Koné was called up to Canada for their final window of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.journaldequebec.com/2022/03/20/ismael-kone-deja-appele-en-equipe-nationale-1|title=Ismael Koné déjà appelé en équipe nationale|language=fr|trans-title=Ismael Koné already called up for the national team|date=March 20, 2022|work=Le Journal de Québec}}{{Cite web|url=https://onesoccer.ca/a/ismael-kone-dayne-st-clair-earn-canada-call-ups-cf-montreal-minnesota-united|title='If you're good enough, you're old enough': CF Montreal's Ismael Kone earns CanMNT call|date=March 20, 2022|first=Armen|last=Bedakian|work=OneSoccer}} He made his debut on March 24 against Costa Rica, as a substitute for Jonathan Osorio.{{cite web|url=https://northerntribune.ca/world-cup-costa-rica-canada/|first=John|last=Jacques|title=Cautions Cost Canada In Cagey Costa Rica Clash|date=March 24, 2022|work=Northern Tribune}} Koné scored his first international goal for Canada in a friendly against Bahrain on November 11, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/ismael-kone-s-stock-is-rising-canada-draw-bahrain-in-world-cup-tune-up|title=Ismaël Koné's stock is rising: Canada draw Bahrain in World Cup tune-up|first=Peter|last=Galindo|work=Major League Soccer|date=November 11, 2022}} Two days later on November 13, he was named to Canada's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://canpl.ca/article/canada-announces-26-man-squad-for-2022-fifa-world-cup-in-qatar|date=November 13, 2022|title=Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar|work=Canadian Premier League|first=Charlie|last=O'Connor-Clarke}} He appeared in all three of the team's matches at the World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/au-revoir-montreal-watford-bound-ismael-kone-seeks-biggest-leagues|title=Au revoir, Montréal: Watford-bound Ismaël Koné takes the next step|date=December 8, 2022|work=Major League Soccer|first=Tom|last=Bogert}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/kone-grateful-cf-montreal-mls-1.6679542|title=Canadian international Koné 'grateful' to CF Montreal for giving him his start|date=December 8, 2022|work=CBC Sports|first=Elias|last=Grigoriadis}} At the end of the year, Koné was named the men's 2022 Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/simi-awujo-and-ismael-kone-named-canada-soccer-young-players-of-the-year/|title=Simi Awujo and Ismaël Koné named Canada Soccer Young Players of the Year|date=December 20, 2022|work=Canadian Soccer Association}} The following year, Koné was awarded again the Canada Soccer Young Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/2023-ismael-kone-jade-rose-named-canada-soccer-young-players-of-the-year/|title=ISMAËL KONÉ AND JADE ROSE NAMED CANADA SOCCER YOUNG PLAYERS OF THE YEAR|date=December 13, 2023|work=Canadian Soccer Association}}
In June 2023, Koné was called up to Canada ahead of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.{{cite web|title=Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals|date=June 7, 2023|url=https://canpl.ca/article/canada-canmnt-2023-concacaf-nations-league-final-roster|first=Mitchell|last=Tierney|work=Canadian Premier League}} He scored in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Jamaica. In June 2024, Koné was named to Canada's squad for the 2024 Copa América.{{cite web|url=https://canadasoccer.com/news/canmnt-announce-2024-copa-america-roster/|title=CANMNT ANNOUNCE 2024 COPA AMÉRICA ROSTER|date=June 15, 2024|work= Canadian Soccer Association}} After starting in Les Rouges' first two games, Koné was benched for Jonathan Osorio for the final group stage match—a 0–0 draw that sent Canada to the quarterfinals.{{Cite web |title=Canada 0-0 Chile (Jun 29, 2024) Team Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/matchstats/_/gameId/690722 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played April 6, 2025}}{{Soccerway|ismael-kone/761687}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Canadian Championship, FA Cup, Coupe de France}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|CF Montréal
|2021 |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2022
|Major League Soccer |26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League}} | 1 | 2{{efn|Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs}} | 1 | 32 | 4 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 32 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Watford
|16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 0 | ||||
| 2023–24
|Championship |42 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 46 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!58 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 63 | 4 | |||
| Marseille
|8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 0 | ||||
| Rennes (loan)
|Ligue 1 |8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 1 | |||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!100 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 112 | 9 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played March 23, 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"|Canada
|2022 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 28 | 3 |
Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Ismaël Koné | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | November 11, 2022 | Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town, Bahrain | {{fb|BHR}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–2 | Friendly |
| align=center|2 | November 21, 2023 | BMO Field, Toronto, Canada | {{fb|JAM}} | align=center|2–2 | align=center|2–3 | 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League A |
| align=center|3 | July 13, 2024 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, United States | {{fb|URU}} | align=center|1–1 | align=center|2–2 (3–4 p) | 2024 Copa América |
Honours
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://en.cfmontreal.com/players/ismael-kone/ CF Montreal profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021162234/https://en.cfmontreal.com/players/ismael-kone/ |date=October 21, 2022 }}
- {{Canada Soccer player|id=55656}}
{{Stade Rennais F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Canada squads
| bg = red
| fg = white
| list1 =
{{Canada squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Canada squad 2024 Copa América}}
}}
{{Canada Soccer Young Players of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kone, Ismael}}
Category:Footballers from Abidjan
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canada men's international soccer players
Category:Canadian people of Ivorian descent
Category:Ivorian men's footballers
Category:Ivorian emigrants to Canada
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Olympique de Marseille players
Category:Stade Rennais FC players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in France
Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players
Category:2024 Copa América players