Antoine Conte, born on January 29, 1994, in France, is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for the Turkish club Iğdır FK. A product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy, he made his Ligue 1 debut in 2013 and was part of the squad that won the French championship. His career has taken him across various European clubs, including Stade de Reims, Beitar Jerusalem, Universitatea Craiova, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Botev Plovdiv, earning him honors such as the Toto Cup in Israel, the Romanian Supercup, and the Bulgarian Cup.
Although born in France and having represented the country at youth levels up to the U21s, Conte chose to represent Guinea at the senior international level starting in 2022. He notably took part in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. However, his career has also been overshadowed by a major controversy: in December 2016, he was arrested for assaulting his partner and severely injuring a young man with a baseball bat. In 2021, he was sentenced to three years in prison as a result of the incident.
Introduction
Antoine Conte, born on January 29, 1994, in France, has established himself as a professional right-back currently playing for the Turkish club Iğdır FK. Though born in France, he proudly represents the Guinean national team on the international stage, embodying a footballing journey full of twists and turns.
Promising Beginnings in Ligue 1
Conte took his first steps in top-flight football with the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain. On February 1, 2013, he made his Ligue 1 debut against Toulouse, coming on as a substitute for Mamadou Sakho in the 76th minute. This appearance marked the beginning of a professional career that would see him don multiple jerseys across Europe.
Following his time at PSG, where he was part of the squad that won the 2012–2013 French championship, Conte joined Stade de Reims—initially on loan for the 2013–2014 season, then permanently. During his years in Reims, he made 49 league appearances, becoming a regular presence in the team.
Israeli Adventure and International Rise
A major turning point came on January 31, 2017, when he was loaned to Beitar Jerusalem until the end of the season. His impressive performances earned him a permanent three-year deal with the Israeli club, signed on June 15, 2017. With Beitar, Conte played 77 matches in all competitions and lifted the Toto Cup in the 2019–2020 season.
Alongside his club career, Conte developed a noteworthy international trajectory. Having represented France at all youth levels up to the U21s, he later chose to honor his Guinean heritage by joining the Guinean national team. He earned his first cap for the “Syli National” on March 25, 2022, in a friendly against South Africa (0–0). His international progress reached a high point when coach Kaba Diawara selected him for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
European Journey and New Challenges
After leaving Beitar Jerusalem in February 2021, Conte continued his career across Europe. He played for Universitatea Craiova in Romania (2021–2022), where he won the Romanian Supercup, then for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel (2022–2023), and Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria (2023–2024), where he added the Bulgarian Cup to his achievements.
A Career Marred by Controversy
Conte’s professional journey has not been without its dark chapters. On December 8, 2016, he was arrested by French police for assaulting his partner and attacking a 19-year-old man who tried to intervene, using a baseball bat. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a cerebral hemorrhage. In January 2021, Conte was sentenced to three years in prison, a sentence he later appealed in an attempt to have it reduced.
This legal case had a significant impact on his career, notably leading to his departure from Beitar Jerusalem in February 2021.
In total, Antoine Conte has made over 200 club appearances and earned 16 caps with Guinea, building a career that includes titles in France, Israel, Romania, and Bulgaria. His path reflects the complex story of a talented footballer whose career has been shaped by both sporting success and personal controversy.
