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Article Summary
Aymeric Laporte is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a center-back for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao and the Spain national team. Born Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alphonse Laporte in Agen, France, on 27 May 1994, he joined Athletic Bilbao’s famed Lezama academy at age 15 and made his first-team debut in 2012. In January 2018, he moved to Manchester City for a then-club record £57 million, winning six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League in 2023, and numerous domestic cups. After a spell at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, he returned to Athletic Bilbao in September 2025. Despite captaining France’s youth teams, Laporte switched international allegiance to Spain in 2021, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023, UEFA Euro 2024, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he started every match and conceded just one goal. He is married to Sara Botello, and they have two children. His net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Background
- Club Career
- International Career
- Major Achievements
- Personal Life
- Latest News
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Awards
- Career Timeline
- Career Statistics
- FAQs
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alphonse Laporte |
| Born | 27 May 1994 |
| Birthplace | Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, France |
| Nationality | Spanish (born French) |
| Age | 31 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Position | Centre-back |
| Current Club | Athletic Bilbao |
| Jersey Number | 14 |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Spouse | Sara Botello (m. 2023) |
| Children | Two: Lucay (son, b. 2021), daughter (b. 2024) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $75 million |
Full Biography
Early Life and Background
Aymeric Jean Louis Gérard Alphonse Laporte was born on 27 May 1994 in Agen, a small town in the Aquitaine region of southwestern France. He grew up in a modest household; his father, Lionel Laporte, worked as a supermarket employee, and his mother, Marie-José Laporte, was a hairdresser. Sport ran in the family, his paternal grandfather, Pierre, was a rugby player, and his maternal grandfather, Jacques Dupont, competed in local tennis. Laporte has an older sister who also played football and a younger brother, Léo Laporte, who became a professional footballer.
Laporte began playing football at age five with his hometown club, Sporting Union Agen. At just 12 years old, he made the difficult decision to leave his parents and enroll as a boarder at the Didier-Lamoulie College in Miramont-de-Guyenne, an institution known for producing footballers.
When Laporte was 15, he caught the attention of talent spotters from Athletic Bilbao’s famed Lezama academy. However, UEFA rules prevented him from moving directly to Spain until he turned 16. As a result, he spent a season with Aviron Bayonnais, Athletic’s feeder club in the French Basque Country, before making the cross-border switch to Bilbao in May 2010. The move was controversial, as Athletic’s strict Basque-only policy was circumvented through his loan to Bayonne. Laporte has French-Basque ancestry through his great-grandparents, which qualified him for Athletic’s recruitment system.
Club Career
Athletic Bilbao (2010-2018)
After joining Athletic Bilbao’s youth setup, Laporte represented Basconia, the club’s third team, before progressing to the reserve side. His assured displays at the heart of defense led manager Marcelo Bielsa to hand him his first-team debut in November 2012.
Laporte quickly established himself as one of La Liga’s most promising young defenders. Over several seasons, he developed into a highly rated center-back, becoming a regular starter and making 222 competitive appearances for the club. His composure on the ball, passing range, and left-footedness made him a natural fit for possession-based football.
Manchester City (2018-2023)
In January 2018, Manchester City signed Laporte for a then-club record fee of £57 million. Under Pep Guardiola, he became a key part of one of the most dominant teams in English football history.
During his five-and-a-half seasons at City, Laporte won an extraordinary haul of trophies: six Premier League titles (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24), the UEFA Champions League in 2022-23, the FA Cup, and multiple EFL Cups. He made 180 appearances for City, scoring 12 goals.
Al-Nassr (2023-2025)
In August 2023, Laporte joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr for a fee of €27.5 million. The move gave him the richest contract of his career, reportedly worth €25 million per year, tax-free. He shared a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and other global stars. During his time in Riyadh, he scored four goals in his debut season, including a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Damac.
Return to Athletic Bilbao (2025-Present)
In September 2025, Laporte returned to Athletic Bilbao for €10 million. He signed a three-year contract until June 2028. His return was an emotional one; he celebrated with his wife and children on the pitch after his first match back.
International Career
France Youth Teams
Laporte represented France at every youth level from U-17 to U-21, captaining all of the country’s youth national teams. He made 51 appearances for France’s youth sides and played at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico. Despite three call-ups to the senior French national team under Didier Deschamps, he never made a competitive appearance.
Spain Senior National Team
In May 2021, Laporte obtained Spanish citizenship and made his senior debut for Spain on 4 June 2021 in a friendly against Portugal. He has since become a cornerstone of La Roja’s defense.
Laporte was instrumental in Spain’s 2023 UEFA Nations League triumph and played a key role in UEFA Euro 2024, where Spain won the tournament.
2026 FIFA World Cup
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Laporte started every match, forming an assured partnership with teenage defender Pau Cubarsí. He reached 50 caps for Spain during the tournament, becoming only the tenth center-back in Spanish history to achieve that milestone.
Spain’s defense was the best in the tournament, conceding just one goal in eight matches. In the final against Argentina, Laporte marshalled a defense that kept Lionel Messi and his teammates at bay, with Argentina failing to register a single shot on target during regulation time. Spain won 1-0 in extra time, securing their second World Cup title.
Major Achievements
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 (6 titles)
- UEFA Champions League: 2022-23
- FA Cup: 2018-19
- EFL Cup: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
- UEFA Super Cup: 2023
Spain National Team
- FIFA World Cup: 2026
- UEFA European Championship: 2024
- UEFA Nations League: 2022-23
Individual
- FIFA U-17 World Cup participant (2011)
- 50 caps for Spain (only 10th centre-back to reach milestone)
Personal Life
Laporte married Sara Botello in June 2023 in a lavish ceremony near Barcelona, attended by family and friends, including Erling Haaland and Rodri. Botello is a professional contemporary ballet dancer and former cheerleader for Bilbao Basket. The couple met shortly after Laporte arrived in Bilbao in 2011.
Laporte and Botello have two children: a son named Lucay, born in August 2021, and a daughter born in May 2024, just weeks before Laporte joined Spain for Euro 2024. Laporte has said that fatherhood reshaped his outlook on life.
Latest News
As of July 2026, Aymeric Laporte is celebrating Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph.
Barcelona have reportedly expressed interest in signing Laporte following his outstanding World Cup performances. According to reports, Laporte has a release clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract of less than €15 million, making him an attractive low-cost option. Sporting director Deco has already initiated preliminary discussions.
Upcoming Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 La Liga season | Starts August 2026 |
| UEFA Champions League 2026-27 | The group stage begins September 2026 |
| Transfer window | Barcelona reportedly interested |
Recent Awards
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Won (with Spain) |
| 2024 | UEFA European Championship | Won (with Spain) |
| 2023 | UEFA Champions League | Won (with Manchester City) |
| 2023 | UEFA Nations League | Won (with Spain) |
Career Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Born in Agen, France |
| 2010 | Joined Athletic Bilbao’s Lezama academy |
| 2012 | Made first-team debut for Athletic Bilbao |
| 2018 | Signed for Manchester City for £57 million |
| 2021 | Obtained Spanish citizenship; made Spain debut |
| 2023 | Won Champions League with Manchester City |
| 2023 | Signed for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia |
| 2024 | Won Euro 2024 with Spain |
| 2025 | Returned to Athletic Bilbao |
| 2026 | Won World Cup with Spain; reached 50 caps |
Career Statistics
| Club | Seasons | League Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | 2012-2018 | 161 | 7 |
| Manchester City | 2018-2023 | 136 | 9 |
| Al-Nassr | 2023-2025 | 46 | 4 |
| Athletic Bilbao | 2025-Present | — | — |
International Caps: 50+ | International Goals: 4
FAQs
How old is Aymeric Laporte?
Aymeric Laporte was born on 27 May 1994 in Agen, France, which makes him 31 years old as of 2026.
What is Aymeric Laporte’s net worth?
Aymeric Laporte’s net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His annual salary at Al-Nassr was €25 million ($27 million), tax-free.
Which club does Aymeric Laporte play for?
Aymeric Laporte plays as a center-back for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. He returned to the club in September 2025 and is under contract until June 2028.
Is Aymeric Laporte French or Spanish?
Laporte was born in France and represented France at youth levels. However, he obtained Spanish citizenship in 2021 and has represented Spain at a senior level ever since.
Did Aymeric Laporte win the World Cup?
Yes. Laporte started every match for Spain at the 2026 World Cup, helping the team concede just one goal in the tournament and lifting the trophy.
Is Aymeric Laporte married?
Yes. Laporte married Sara Botello in June 2023. Botello is a professional contemporary ballet dancer and former cheerleader.
Does Aymeric Laporte have children?
Yes. Laporte and his wife Sara have two children: a son named Lucay (born August 2021) and a daughter (born May 2024).
What is Aymeric Laporte’s height?
Aymeric Laporte stands at 1.91 meters (6 feet 3 inches).
What position does Aymeric Laporte play?
Aymeric Laporte plays as a center-back. He is left-footed, known for his composure, passing ability, and aerial strength.
What is Aymeric Laporte’s market value?
As of 2026, Laporte’s market value is estimated at approximately €8.4 million, with a release clause of less than €15 million.
Key Takeaways
- Aymeric Laporte is a Spanish center-back born on 27 May 1994 in Agen, France.
- He began his career at Athletic Bilbao before joining Manchester City in 2018 for £57 million.
- He won six Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester City.
- He switched international allegiance from France to Spain in 2021, winning the Nations League, Euro 2024, and the 2026 World Cup.
- He started every match of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning campaign, conceding just one goal.
- He is married to Sara Botello and has two children.
- His net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million.
Conclusion
Aymeric Laporte’s journey from the small French town of Agen to the pinnacle of world football is a story of talent, determination, and seizing opportunity. At just 15, he left his family behind to forge a career in Spain, overcoming a controversial transfer to join Athletic Bilbao’s famed academy. His development into one of Europe’s most respected defenders led to a record-breaking move to Manchester City, where he won nearly every trophy imaginable. But perhaps his most remarkable achievement came on the international stage. After captaining France’s youth teams without ever breaking into the senior side, Laporte chose to represent Spain, a decision that would lead to Nations League, European Championship, and World Cup glory. At the 2026 World Cup, he was the defensive rock of a team that conceded just one goal in eight matches, forming a formidable partnership with Pau Cubarsí. Now back at Athletic Bilbao, with 50 caps for Spain and a World Cup winner’s medal, Aymeric Laporte has proven that sometimes the path less traveled leads to the greatest destinations.
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