Aymeric Laporte’s Return to Bilbao: A Journey Back to His Roots

omidbasir- Aymeric Laporte, the 31-year-old centre-back, enjoyed a successful five-year tenure at Manchester City before making the move to the Middle East in 2023. However, even amidst the allure of playing alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Laporte quickly realized that the environment did not align with his aspirations. In discussing his departure, he revealed that he had expressed a desire to return to San Mamés as early as his first year abroad.

Negotiations for his return were complicated by Al-Nassr’s emphasis on financial considerations, which led to a last-minute paperwork error that initially resulted in the cancellation of the transfer on deadline day. An appeal to FIFA was necessary to finalize the deal, much to Laporte’s relief.

“I’ve never mentioned this until now, but from my first year in Saudi Arabia, I understood it wasn’t what I was looking for,” he stated to RMC Sport. “I communicated my feelings to the club right from the start, but they requested patience. Despite the advice, I faced some challenges that we struggled to manage. Ultimately, we agreed that continuing for a third year wasn’t the best option. The family aspect was also a significant consideration for me.”

Prior to finalizing his emotional return to Bilbao, Laporte was a sought-after player. Ligue 1 club Marseille was among those interested in acquiring his services to strengthen their defense. Laporte confirmed that there was genuine interest from the French side, but his commitment to returning to his roots took precedence.

“Yes, there was an approach. Several clubs, including Marseille, expressed interest,” he confirmed. He highlighted that the decision to turn down offers from major European teams was motivated by his desire to be closer to his family, particularly his father. “The idea of returning home to be near my father and family was paramount. That is what drew me back to Bilbao.”

The situation resolved positively when FIFA approved the transfer paperwork, allowing him to sign a three-year contract until 2028. Laporte will don the number 14 shirt as he rejoins the club where he made 222 appearances before transitioning to the Premier League in 2018.

The defender did not conceal his emotions regarding this move, stating that returning to Bilbao represented “everything I wanted.”

Despite the financial sacrifices required to leave Al-Nassr, Laporte firmly believes that the spiritual and emotional advantages of playing in front of Athletic Bilbao’s supporters far outweigh any monetary losses.

Beyond the emotional significance, Laporte has clear sporting ambitions. By rejoining one of Europe’s top five leagues, he aims to secure his position in the Spanish national team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. He has maintained regular communication with Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente, who endorsed his decision to return to Bilbao. With 16 appearances already this season, Laporte is quickly regaining his form. While initial registration issues created uncertainty regarding his eligibility in Europe, his primary focus remains on supporting his childhood club and sustaining his high-performance level for La Roja.