Aymeric Laporte

Aymeric Laporte is a French-born Spanish professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. Known for his composure on the ball, pinpoint passing, and calm defensive reading, he epitomizes the modern ball-playing defender. His career has spanned top clubs and leagues, and he has collected a remarkable haul of trophies: five Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, a European Championship, an Olympic gold medal, and more. What sets Laporte apart is his rare left-footedness and his ability to launch attacks from deep with surgical accuracy. Fans and pundits alike admire his consistency, he rarely has an off game. After a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, he returned to Athletic Bilbao in 2024 to a hero's welcome, proving that for him, football is about more than money. As of 2026, he remains a key figure for club and country, respected as one of the most technically gifted defenders of his generation.[edit]

Aymeric Laporte was born in Agen, a small city in southwestern France, to a father of Basque descent and a mother with Spanish roots. He started playing football at age five for local club SU Agen. At 13, he entered the famed Clairefontaine academy, where he spent a year refining his technique. From there, he joined Bayonne's youth system, but his life changed when Athletic Bilbao's scouts spotted him. In 2010, at 16, he moved to Spain to join Bilbao's Lezama academy, one of the most demanding in Europe. He rose quickly through the ranks, debuting for the B team in 2011. His professional debut for the first team came on November 28, 2012, in a Copa del Rey match against Eibar. Just days later, he made his La Liga debut against Celta Vigo. By the end of his first season, he had made 15 league appearances, establishing himself as a first-team regular at just 18. The club's faith in him was absolute, and he repaid it by becoming one of the most promising young defenders in Spain.[edit]

Laporte's breakthrough at Athletic Bilbao was swift. By the 2013-14 season, he was an undisputed starter, making 33 La Liga appearances and helping the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 16 years. He made his Champions League debut against Napoli in August 2014. Over the next three seasons, he made over 200 appearances for Bilbao, earning a reputation as one of Europe's elite young center-backs. In January 2018, Manchester City triggered his £57 million release clause, a club record for a defender at the time. He slotted seamlessly into Pep Guardiola's system, winning the Premier League and EFL Cup in his first half-season. The 2018-19 campaign was historic: Laporte played 51 matches as City became the first English men's team to win the domestic treble. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year. A serious knee injury in August 2019 sidelined him for months, but he returned to form, winning three more Premier League titles, the Champions League in 2023, and the FA Cup. In August 2023, he moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia for €27.5 million, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. After one season, he returned to Athletic Bilbao on a free transfer in August 2024. Internationally, Laporte switched allegiance from France to Spain in 2021, winning Euro 2024, the 2023 Nations League, and an Olympic gold medal in 2024.[edit]

Laporte's public image is that of a composed, understated professional. On the pitch, he is elegance personified, rarely flustered, always scanning, and capable of spraying 50-yard passes with his left foot. Off it, he dresses smart-casual and avoids the spotlight. The media portrays him as a reliable, no-drama player, the kind every manager wants. Athletic Bilbao fans treat him as a returning hero; Manchester City supporters remember his consistency with affection. Spain fans appreciate his role in their recent trophy renaissance. His social media is football-focused and polite, with match photos and thank-you posts. He does not court controversy. There is no official fandom name, but his calm authority has earned him the quiet respect of teammates and opponents alike. His playing style, composed, intelligent, technically secure, mirrors his personality.[edit]

Aymeric Laporte commands a global presence that transcends the typical scope of professional athletes, with his influence tracked across media coverage, search activity, and consumption signals worldwide. Current assessments place him as the 88th most famous person in France, a position which has remained steady since the previous cycle. His standing among those born in his country of origin is equally notable, ranking as the 24th most famous person from France, also holding steady from the prior measurement. These placements are recorded within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, an authoritative system that documents such metrics without public disclosure of its computational inputs. Regarding his support base, there is no formal or officially recognized name for his fanbase. The collective following he maintains is best described as the general supporters of his current club, Athletic Bilbao, and the Spain national team, rather than a distinct entity focused exclusively on Laporte himself. While he interacts with followers through major social platforms, the sources do not document any organized subculture with specific rituals or collective projects dedicated solely to his personal brand.[edit]

Aymeric Laporte's full legal name includes four middle names: Jean Louis Gérard Alphonse. He is fluent in French, Spanish, and English, though despite being a tall center-back, he has never scored more than three goals in a single season, as his game prioritizes building over finishing. He was part of the first English team to win both a domestic treble in 2019 and a continental treble in 2023. His transfer to Manchester City in 2018 made him the club's most expensive defender ever at the time. Laporte represented France at every youth level from U17 to U21 before switching allegiance to Spain. One of his favorite hobbies is reading, and he often shares book recommendations with teammates. A widely retold story in football lore concerns his unique biographical anomaly: he captained France at the under-17 level before later playing against his birth country in a World Cup semi-final. Furthermore, he holds the record for playing more games at the World Cup and European Championships without losing than any other player in history. In recent narratives shaping his reputation, a dramatic incident from the 2026 World Cup final involved Laporte accusing Argentina of using tricks that should not be allowed, a confrontation that has entered the fan narrative.[edit]

Laporte's father is of Basque descent, and his mother has Spanish heritage. He has one brother, whose name is not publicly known. The family lived in Agen, where Laporte's parents supported his early football dreams. He is close to his grandmother on his mother's side, whose Spanish nationality later allowed him to gain Spanish citizenship. Laporte keeps his personal life intensely private. He currently lives in Bilbao, near Athletic Bilbao's training ground. He does not have any publicly known children or pets. He has described his family as his anchor, crediting them with keeping him grounded through the highs and lows of a football career.[edit]

Laporte has shared the pitch with some of football's biggest names. At Manchester City, he played under Pep Guardiola alongside Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, and Rúben Dias. At Athletic Bilbao, he partnered with Xabi Etxeita and Yeray Álvarez. For Spain, he has played with Sergio Busquets, Rodri, and Pedri. His time at Al Nassr saw him line up with Cristiano Ronaldo.[edit]

Laporte dated Spanish actress and model Sara Sálamo from around 2016 to 2018. The couple appeared together at events but split amicably, with no public explanation. From approximately 2019 to 2021, he was linked to an unidentified woman, though no details emerged. As of 2026, Laporte is reportedly single, though he keeps his romantic life extremely private. He has no publicly known children and has never been married.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Aymeric Laporte's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $30 million. His wealth accumulates primarily from football salaries and endorsements. At Manchester City, he earned around £8 million per year. His one-season stint at Al Nassr paid him approximately €15 million net, tax-free. After returning to Athletic Bilbao, his salary dropped to about €4 million annually. Laporte has endorsement deals with Nike and a few smaller brands, adding an estimated $1-2 million per year. He owns real estate in Bilbao, Spain, and in his hometown of Agen, France. He sold his Manchester home after leaving City. Laporte is not known for major business ventures; he keeps his finances as private as his personal life. His net worth has grown steadily through smart contract negotiations and a high-earning year in Saudi Arabia.[edit]

Laporte has won five Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup, multiple EFL Cups, Euro 2024, the UEFA Nations League, and an Olympic gold medal. Individually, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2018-19 season.[edit]