Aymeric Laporte admits strong sense of nostalgia for six-year Manchester City career
· Yahoo Sports
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has reflected on his time at the Etihad Stadium, admitting he still feels a strong sense of nostalgia for a period he describes as one of the most successful and enjoyable chapters of his career.
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The Spain international spent five-and-a-half years at City, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the Champions League before leaving for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in 2023.
Speaking to The Athletic, Laporte revealed he still misses the group that dominated English football under Pep Guardiola.
“Nostalgic,” Laporte said when asked how he looks back on his City career. “So much, so much. When I see the players going to other teams and being with other people and they have not had that same success, I feel bad.”
The 32-year-old also admitted his departure was difficult because he never had the opportunity to properly say goodbye to supporters.
“I did not even say goodbye,” Laporte said. “Life is like this. What do you want to do? Nothing.”
Laporte revealed Guardiola had first tried to sign him before arriving in England, explaining that conversations with the Spaniard played a major role in his eventual move to Manchester.
“When he was at Bayern Munich still he talked to me and said, ‘Come, you will be my player with John Stones’,” Laporte explained. “I said, ‘Let’s go, this is my style, this is what I want’.”
The defender also spoke glowingly about the quality of the squad he joined in 2018.
“You have David Silva, who turns with six people around him,” he said. “You have Kevin De Bruyne, every pass is a goal. Kun Aguero, every shot is a goal.”
Despite winning almost everything available, Laporte admitted some Champions League defeats continue to haunt him.
He singled out the quarter-final loss to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 and the dramatic semi-final collapse against Real Madrid in 2022 as the most painful moments of his career.
“Against Tottenham it was the worst in my life,” Laporte said.
“These two games are trauma.”
“I swear, every year we were in the same situation. We could have won five Champions Leagues.”
Laporte also suggested his relationship with Guardiola changed after injury problems reduced his role in the squad.
“I was downgraded in the team and with the manager,” he said. “I’ve always been competitive and I never wanted to sit on the bench.”
Now back at Athletic Club and preparing for the World Cup with Spain, Laporte says he remains grateful for his City years, even if some memories still sting.