Laporte, a Frenchman against the tide | OneFootball

Aymeric Laporte’s career has often run against the grain. Arriving at Manchester City in January 2018, he was promptly introduced to English football by a heavy Sergio Agüero tackle.

He has said criticism once affected him and that joining Athletic, choosing Spain and moving to Saudi Arabia fed that feeling, according to as.com. He recently reported in a red Spain shirt.

Born in Agen, Aquitaine, he has Basque roots through his great-grandfather. He began at Sporting Union Agen aged five.

He played rugby too, his grandfather was a player, but his father pushed him towards football. He moved from striker to midfield to centre-back, trying every role except goalkeeper.

At 12 he left home to board in Miramont-de-Guyene. Athletic moved at 15 and, unable to play abroad, he joined partner Aviron Bayonnais, trained with Athletic, then signed at 16.

He won 51 youth caps for France and captained several teams but, despite three senior call-ups, never debuted. Naturalised on 12 May 2021 via the BOE, he was key at Euro 2020, the only Spain outfielder to play every minute.

Bilbao gave him stability and love. He met Sara Botello at a basketball game, they married in 2023 near Barcelona with Rodri and Haaland present, and now have two children. He says fatherhood reshaped his outlook.

His arm-swing celebration nods to tecktonic and he likes to start matches with his right foot. He left Athletic on good terms, leaving open a possible return.

Source: as.com