- Aymeric Laporte caused a stir when he moved from France to Spain in 2021
- The 30-year-old played 51 times for France’s youth teams, but never for the seniors.
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Aymeric Laporte has claimed that Didier Deschamps’ reluctance to give him senior selection with France led him to switch his allegiance to Spain.
The former Manchester City defender was a crucial part of Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja team that won the European Championship this summer.
Laporte’s chances with the national team have not been hampered by his decision to move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023. A far cry from his deal with Les Blues, where he failed to make a senior appearance despite excelling with Athletic de Bilbao.
The 30-year-old spoke about the situation amid ongoing talks that a personal rift between him and Deschamps resulted in him being unable to make the transition from the French youth teams to the senior ones.
“I couldn’t wait any longer.” RMC Sport reports that he said via brand. ‘Years passed, in the end it was always the same with the coach.
Aymeric Laporte opens up about his decision to switch allegiance from France to Spain
French coach Didier Deschamps never gave the center back a cap for the senior team
‘If I wanted to play in international competitions, I had to make this decision. I’m doing very well with the selection. There were some exchanges of opinions on several occasions (with Deschamps) our relationship was not the best.
‘It’s over, I don’t even think about it anymore. Each one follows their own path.
Born in Agen, southwestern France, Laporte has Basque ancestry through his great-grandparents and began his career at the region’s biggest club, Bilbao. This rookie footballer was already causing a stir, as critics questioned whether he complied with the team’s distinctive all-Basque recruiting policy.
By 2021, the waiting game was over. Despite multiple call-ups, Laporte had not received a top-level bow, and in May of that year the Spanish government confirmed his citizenship while FIFA approved his national switch. His ancestry and his previous residence of eight years in the country were enough.
A MARCA report stated that he started the application process as early as 2016 at the request of then-Spain coach Julen Lopetegui.
Laporte represented his native France 51 times at various youth levels, but never played for the senior team.
Deschamps responded to Laporte’s claims that his back was turned.
“What bothers me is what he could say, and that’s a lie,” Deschamps said. The only message I received from him was in October regarding a precise situation regarding an injury he had suffered in September.
‘He has that freedom. Hasn’t he played for us? It could have happened, ten seconds would have been enough.
“He has always been on the list of players called up, but there has been competition for places.
‘Leaving him out is not a mistake, it’s just my decision. “I wish him the best and he is free to make that decision.”
Over the years, experts have been less sympathetic after what they saw as an act of immense betrayal.
The 30-year-old has been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr since completing his transfer from Man City in 2023.
Emmanuel Petit questioned whether Laporte had any genuine affection for Spain or France
“When you sign up and feel French, you choose France,” Jerome Rothen told RMC. ‘If you feel Spanish, you go with Spain. But don’t be opportunistic.
Emmanuel Petit also questioned how genuine Laporte was. —So you can choose the country you want? Want? He had claimed his love for the French team and suddenly he went to Spain.’
Laporte now has 37 caps for Spain, one Nations League and a European Championship medal.
