Spain vs France 2021: When Aymeric Laporte moved from France to Spain in 2021, it created quite a stir. This is his chance to silence his detractors, most notably Didier Deschamps.
Following his 2021 declaration of loyalty to the Spanish national team, Frenchman Aymeric Laporte crossed the floor, or rather the Pyrenees, and was accused by L’Equipe of’succumbing to the Iberian sirens’.
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There is a lot riding on their meeting in Munich tonight, if the French were hoping that siren song would bring down a turncoat.
As Laporte gets ready for his first matchup with France in his new robes, sweet vindication is on the table. The big stage is set for a Euro 2024 semifinal, in which Spain is likely to win.
It is akin to England allowing Jamal Musiala to evade capture and flee to Spain, that France lost Laporte. The 30-year-old former Manchester City player made 51 youth appearances for Les Bleus.
Laporte was born in Agen, in southwest France. His great-grandparents are Basques, and he started his career with Athletic Bilbao, the best team in the area.
This young football player was already creating a sensation, with some questioning if he adhered to the team’s unique recruitment procedure that only allows Basques.
Given his lineage, it is surprising that he was never awarded a senior cap. Laporte was a game-changer for Manchester City, adding class and dependability to the defense while winning five Premier League championships and the highly sought-after first Champions League. The waiting game ended in 2021.
Laporte had not received a senior bow despite numerous call-ups, and in May of that year, both FIFA and the Spanish government ratified his citizenship.
It was sufficient that he had ancestry and had lived in the nation for eight years.
According to a report he initiated the application procedure in 2016 at the suggestion of Julen Lopetegui, the manager of Spain at the time.
Laporte said he texted France manager Didier Deschamps with his dilemma, but he received no response. Although I don’t personally know him, it’s him and not me if someone is having issues with me.
He isn’t calling me for what I believe to be personal reasons.” His charge that one of the totemic icons of French football had effectively disregarded him set up fireworks.
In retaliation, Deschamps called the defender a liar. “What worries me is what he could say, and that is untrue,” Deschamps remarked.
He only sent me a message in October, describing a specific circumstance involving an injury he had suffered in September.
He’s got that liberty. Has he not performed for us? Ten seconds would have been sufficient for it to have happened.
Although there has always been rivalry for spots, he has always been on the list of players called up. “It’s not a mistake; I just decided to leave him out.”
I hope the best for him, and it’s up to him to decide. Pundits’ sympathy waned following what they perceived to be a massive act of treachery. “You go with France when you sign up,”
Jerome Rothen said to RMC. “You go with Spain if you feel Spanish.” But avoid being a doormat. Emmanuel Petit questioned Laporte’s sincerity as well.
So you’re free to select whatever country you’d like? Would you like to? After professing his love for the French squad, he abruptly left for Spain.
The drama and the turns of events Laporte will be involved in tonight will take precedence over the commotion, at least for the next ninety minutes. He arrives tonight as a French deserter, for many. He might become a Spanish hero by Sunday.