After five seasons at Manchester City, Aymeric Laporte decided to move to the Saudi Al-Nassr in August 2023, making an illogical move for many. After all, he was part of arguably the strongest team in the world, playing under arguably the best manager in the world, Pep Guardiola. Rotten Real Madrid’s back line could get a serious boost from the desertStill, because of money, the opportunity to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo or the pursuit of a new challenge, Laporte moved to Saudi Arabia. Speaking on El Larguero, the Spaniard revealed that he’s satisfied despite numerous judgemental comments.”My thing is to play football and try to do it as well as possible. I am not going to depend on what people think when making decisions in my life. If I make important decisions in my career or in my personal life it will be because I think it is the best for me . Obviously I am not going to do something that could harm me. It may be right or wrong, but you always have to respect it,” stated the defender via Marca.Aymeric Laporte on criticism of footballers for playing in Saudi Arabia:“I went there to play football, not to do other things”“While I was there I won a European Championship, which is the most beautiful thing in my sporting career” pic.twitter.com/hwBrERrnRN— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) November 13, 2024 “It’s a different culture, but I’ve gone there to play football, not to do other things, and so far it hasn’t gone badly. I’ve been able to win a European Championship, which is the best thing that has happened to me in my sporting career. There are still many things to improve. They have invested heavily in football a few years ago. It will grow little by little or very quickly, I don’t know, but I have seen evolution,” Laporte added.Real must buy a defender in JanuaryYet, this does not mean he would not like to return to his homeland, which he left six years ago when he joined Man City from Athletic Bilbao.”I have already mentioned it more than once. My idea of returning is there. I have all my family in Europe,” said Laporte before addressing the reported links with Real Madrid. “I am not very aware of it. I have read the same as you, so there is no problem. It sounds good. Obviously teams like Real Madrid are not looked down upon,” admitted he.Aymeric Laporte has responded to rumours linking him with Real Madrid 👀 pic.twitter.com/nmivNpHX5I— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2024 Even though he won 13 trophies at Etihad, including five Premier Leagues and a Champions League, the 30-year-old still pointed out one particular success.”It’s a team with which we’ve won a lot, but for me the Euros have been much more special because of the importance I had in the competition, because of the group, what we’re achieving at national team level, spectacular and exceptional teammates. I’ve rarely come across a group like this. If I had to stay, I’d choose this. But it’s true that five Premier Leagues in six years is spectacular,” Laporte claimed.If Real calls, Nacho won’t come backSpeaking about the national team, the centre-back stated he believes Spain are capable of winning the FIFA World Cup in the future.”In recent years we have shown that we can compete perfectly to win the World Cup. It could go well or badly, as we know in today’s football, inferior teams can beat superior teams. We will try and we have the team for it. Our ambition and our objective is to get there. One hundred percent,” Laporte concluded.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – GROUP STAGEDivision AThursday 22.45: (2.50) Belgium (3.45) Italy (3.00)22.45: (1.13) France (9.00) Israel (17.0)Friday 22.45: (4.70) Denmark (3.50) Spain (1.80)22.45: (1.27) Portugal (5.90) Poland (10.5)22.45: (3.40) Scotland (3.40) Croatia (2.15)22.45: (1.85) Switzerland (3.60) Serbia (4.80)Saturday 22.45: (1.15) Germany (8.00) B&H (16.0)22.45: (1.40) Netherlands (4.70) Hungary (8.00)Sunday 22.45: (3.40) Italy (3.35) France (2.30)Division BThursday Kazakhstan – Austria 0-2 (0-2)/Baumgartner 15, Gregoritsch 25/22.45: (4.20) Greece (3.45) England (1.90)22.45: (1.67) R.Ireland (3.50) Finland (5.80)22.45: (3.00) Slovenia (3.20) Norway (2.45)Saturday 20.00: (2.50) Georgia (3.25) Ukraine (2.90)20.00: (2.50) Montenegro (3.25) Iceland (2.90)20.00: (1.77) Turkey (3.50) Wales (4.90)22.45: (3.20) Albania (3.30) Czech R. (2.30)Sunday 20.00: (1.22) England (6.25) R.Ireland (14.0)***odds are subject to change***
