Aymeric Laporte has given a clear account of the career choices that took him from Manchester City to Al Nassr in 2023, then on to Spain as his international home. He said he stayed two seasons in Saudi Arabia, and the move was shaped by reduced minutes, fee demands and a return to Athletic Club that never quite came together.

Saudi Arabia was only part of the decision

Speaking to A Bola, Laporte said he saw fewer minutes at Manchester City, and a transfer in Europe would have been difficult. His main idea was a return to Athletic, but the club could not pay the fee City wanted. Al Nassr were the only side able to offer that amount, so he took the opportunity in 2023.

The daily routine was harder than the football. Laporte said the Saudi experience could suit a homebody, but the traffic meant 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter just to get to training, and another hour if he wanted to leave the house. "I spent five hours a day in the car," he said, adding that family trips were difficult.

Why Spain felt like home

Laporte’s international story is more settled now than it once looked. He was born in Agen, lived there until he was 15 and then moved to Bilbao. He obtained Spanish nationality on 11 May 2021, and he said the shift was helped by the fact that his wife, family and children are from there.

France never really opened the same door. Laporte said he loved France as his first country, but that situation changed when the French coach did not count on him for anything. Didier Deschamps called him up twice in 2016 and 2017 without giving him a senior appearance.

Since then, he has become firmly established with Spain, collecting 54 caps and winning the 2023 Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. The switch now looks fully embedded, not provisional.

His unfinished ambition is closer to Bilbao. Laporte said almost all of his goals are already fulfilled, but a European title with Athletic would be something magical. That is the one piece of his career he still wants to add.

FAQ

Why did Aymeric Laporte leave Manchester City for Al Nassr?

Laporte says reduced minutes and City’s transfer fee demands pushed him toward Al Nassr in 2023. He said a return to Athletic Club was his main idea, but the Spanish club could not pay the fee City wanted. He also noted that Al Nassr were the only club able to offer that amount.

Why does Aymeric Laporte feel Spain is his football home?

Laporte said he was born in Agen, lived there until he was 15, then moved to Bilbao. He added that Athletic Club welcomed him and that he improved there the most. Spain became his international home after France did not really count on him, and he later won the 2023 Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup with Spain.

What did Aymeric Laporte say about life in Saudi Arabia?

Laporte described long commutes and heavy traffic in Saudi Arabia. He said it took him between 45 minutes and an hour and a quarter to get to training, then another hour if he wanted to leave the house. He summed it up by saying he spent five hours a day in the car, which made family trips difficult.

Will Aymeric Laporte still want an Athletic Club European title?

Yes. Laporte said almost all of his ambitions are already fulfilled, but a European title with Athletic would be something magical. He also said the club did not have the capacity to pay Manchester City’s transfer fee when he wanted to return.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →