Aymeric Laporte (32, Athletic Club), who left Manchester City (hereafter Man City) to head to Saudi Arabia, expressed deep regret about his past decision.
Defender Laporte said in an interview with Spain's AS on the 2nd (Korea time) that he regrets leaving Man City, where he achieved the treble under manager Pep Guardiola.
Laporte left Athletic Club in 2018 at the call of manager Pep Guardiola (55) and put on the Man City jersey. During his five and a half years at Man City, he lifted an impressive 13 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League title.
However, when Laporte's playing time decreased in the 2022-23 season, in which they achieved the treble, he moved in the summer of 2023 to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr for a transfer fee of 23.6 million pounds (about 47.3 billion won).
Al Nassr was an attractive option where he would play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo (41) and Sadio Mané (34). But he ultimately returned to his former club Athletic Club last year as soon as an opportunity to return to Europe arose.
Laporte said, "I regretted leaving because I was at the best club in the world, Man City. The way they take care of players is unique," adding, "You only realize it after you leave. When you first arrive it's moving, but once you get used to it you find it ordinary and take it for granted."
He added, "Only after you stop experiencing their special routines do you realize how lucky you were to be at a great club like Man City."
He also emphasized, "As I said, it was an unforgettable experience for me. I'm truly grateful to the club," and, "It was one of the best things in my life, so I can't say a bad word about it."
Laporte is currently focusing on lifting Athletic Club, which sits 10th in La Liga, into the European competition places (6th). He is also still playing a key role for the Spain national team.
Having played the full 90 minutes in the friendly against Serbia in March, Laporte is aiming for a third major trophy in the Spain shirt at the FIFA CONCACAF World Cup this coming June, following the 2023 Nations League and the Euro 2024 victory.
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