Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate had to cut short his holiday with friends in Mykonos after receiving his first senior France call-up late last week.
The 22-year-old was enjoying some down time after a busy season with the Reds when he received the call. He joined up with the team over the weekend and was named on the bench for their 1-1 draw against Croatia in the Nations League on Monday.
Konate wasn't named in the initial squad selected by coach Didier Deschamps, who has a number of world class centre backs at his disposal. However, after Manchester United's Raphael Varane was forced to withdraw due to a muscular injury, it was the former RB Leipzig man who got the nod.
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Konate says the call-up brings 'huge pride' to his family and he explained the moment he received the news while on holiday with friends.
He told a press conference on Tuesday (via RMC Sport ): "I was on a boat with my friends in Greece when I heard the news. We were having fun and laughing.
"I saw two missed calls and decided to call back as I didn't didn't know the number. I heard the news and for five minutes I was lost while my friends were dancing around. When it came out in the media it was a huge pride for me, for my family.
"I was very happy. I was very, very well received by the group. There are many players that I already know from Paris or Sochaux among young people."
The France boss previously explained Konate's omission from the squad, despite his stellar season with Liverpool. He put the decision down to the system he uses, as well as the competition in that position.
Speaking at a press conference after the initial squad announcement, Deschamps said: "Yes, I'm following (Konate), he's in a team which is competing in the Champions League final and for the title in England.
"But since he's been at Liverpool, he's mostly played in a four-man defence. And there is competition (in the France team)."
