Ismaël Koné was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and moved to Canada at the age of seven, growing up in Montreal. He started his soccer journey with AS Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Panthers before joining CS Saint-Laurent, where he earned a bronze medal at the 2019 Canadian Under-17 Championship. His time at CF Montréal helped him gain recognition, particularly when he made his professional debut and scored in a 3–0 victory against Santos Laguna in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League.
After a successful stint, he transferred to Watford in December 2022 and scored his first goal for the club in a match against Norwich. Following this, he joined Olympique Marseille but faced challenges due to injuries and conflicts with the manager, leading to a loan move to Rennes. During his loan, he scored an impressive long-range goal against Marseille, showcasing his ability on the field.
As a dynamic and strong midfielder known for his direct attacking runs, Koné's tenacity and skills have made him a valuable asset. Currently, he plays for Sassuolo, where he continues to develop and contribute to the team's efforts in Serie A. On the international stage, Koné has represented Canada since 2022, earning a total of 16 caps and scoring 2 goals, including participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.