Aymeric Laporte is one of the few players who rejected Manchester City after being offered a chance to work with Pep Guardiola, yet he remains a beloved figure at the Etihad. The Athletic Bilbao defender was initially targeted in 2016 to form a ball-playing partnership with John Stones, but he turned down the move at the last minute. Such decisions typically did not sit well with Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, but Laporte was an exception.
From Rejection to Redemption
Despite the initial rejection, Begiristain returned for Laporte in January 2018, offering an olive branch and a new contract. Laporte accepted and went on to repay City's faith. He joined midway through the Centurions season but became formidable the following year, helping City win a domestic Quadruple. His crowning moment came on the final day of the 2018/19 season when he nudged City ahead at Brighton to secure the title with 98 points.
“The year where we won four titles was fantastic, ‘fourmidables’, it was unbelievable,” Laporte told The Athletic. “Unbelievable. It was the season. If I have to choose between the treble and fourmidables, for me, even with the Champions League, it’s the fourmidables.”
Injury and Resilience
A serious injury the following season contributed to City losing the league to Liverpool. In 2020/21, his sloppiness cost him a starting spot as John Stones and Ruben Dias formed a new partnership. Guardiola noted Laporte's difficulty hiding his dismay when benched, but that passion was part of his appeal. Laporte gave his heart to City and never put in less than a full shift.
He also connected with fans through a grounded social media presence, once changing his name to 'I'm Eric Laporte' after a supporter's mistake. Fans grew to love him even more during the 2021/22 season, when he played through injury in the closing games to hold off Liverpool. With Dias, Stones, Nathan Ake, and Kyle Walker all injured, Laporte anchored the defence for the final matches.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
There was shock in the press room at West Ham on the penultimate weekend, as Laporte had been taken off at Wolves with an injury that seemed to end his campaign. He played on injured, then did so again in the remarkable 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa on the final day. This sacrifice cost him the opening months of the following season, and he never fully regained his place during City's Treble-winning campaign. Wanting playing time, he left for Al Nassr.
“I regretted leaving because I was at the best club in the world, City,” Laporte said. “The way they take care of their players there is unique; you only realise it when you leave. When you arrive, it's impressive and then once you get used to it, you see it as something commonplace, something normal. When you leave and you're no longer experiencing that special routine they have there, you realise how lucky you are to have been at a great club like City – and like I said, for me it was an unforgettable experience.”
Legacy and World Cup Final
Laporte's sacrifice was noted warmly by Guardiola and City fans. He has since returned to Athletic Bilbao and remains a key player for Spain. As he prepares to face former teammate Rodri in the World Cup final, City supporters will cheer for both. Laporte's legacy at City endures: once a Blue, always a Blue.
