Ismael Kone, a Canadian midfielder, assures another outburst like the one in Bucharest will not occur in the future.
Canadian Midfielder Ismael Kone Prepares for Wales Clash Amid Past Controversies
Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone is set to take the field against Wales in a friendly match, a contest that comes amidst a history of run-ins with coaches and a recent outburst towards coach Jesse Marsch.
Kone, currently on a loan spell at Sassuolo, has had a rollercoaster journey in recent years. Born in the Ivory Coast, he moved to Canada at the age of seven and rose through the ranks of CF Montreal's academy before signing a professional contract with the MLS team in February 2022.
His impressive performances earned him a senior Canada debut at 19 years old in March 2022, and since then, he has donned the Canadian jersey 32 times, including 22 starts, with three goals. Kone's most memorable moment came during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he declared, "I'm only 20 and I get to play on a world stage."
However, Kone's career has not been without controversy. In July 2024, he was sent off for a second yellow card in Sassuolo's season-opener. More recently, during a 3-0 win over Romania, Kone expressed disappointment and frustration after being substituted, leading to an altercation with Marsch. The coach downplayed the incident, stating that he replaced Kone to have a more defensive presence on the pitch with a 2-0 lead.
Marsch chose to have Kone accompany him at a press conference ahead of the Wales game, an apparent effort to bury the issue. Kone acknowledged his mistake, stating that his display of pique should not have happened, and apologized to his teammates and the coaching staff.
The Canadian squad for the Wales match has undergone some changes due to injuries. Dayne St. Clair will start in goal, and Jonathan David will captain the team in the absence of Stephen Eustaquio, who is out for treatment for a lower-body injury. Atlanta United 'keeper Jayden Hibbert is also in the Canadian camp.
Kone moved to Olympique Marseille in June 2024 after appearing in all three of Canada's games at the 2022 World Cup. He later was loaned to Rennes in February 2024, where he scored against his former club in the final game of the season. Kone signed a 4 1/2-year contract with second-tier Watford in December 2022.
As Kone prepares to face Wales, he reiterated his commitment to the Canadian team, stating, "I care about the Canadian jersey and the team more than anything." Despite the past controversies, Kone is focused on the future and is determined to help Canada secure a positive result against Wales.
Wales, ranked 31st in the world, is coming off a 1-0 win in Kazakhstan in World Cup qualifying play and currently stands third in their qualifying group. The friendly match against Canada promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to impress.
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