Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between France and Spain at 11 p.m. on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, the story of La Roja defender Aymeric Laporte — who chose to represent Spain over France — is back in the spotlight.
Laporte progressed through all of France's youth teams, appearing in more than 50 matches and captaining the under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-21 sides, yet he never played a single game for the senior national team despite being called up on more than one occasion.
Laporte was born in the city of Agen in France, but has family roots in the Basque Country. He moved to Spain in 2010 to join the youth academy at Athletic Bilbao, where he spent 8 years before English club Manchester City purchased him in 2018 to strengthen their defensive line.
Laporte confirmed that he feels no regret over his decision to represent Spain rather than France, describing the move as the most important step in his international career, ahead of facing his birth country in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
Speaking ahead of the eagerly awaited match on Radio Marca, he said he went through a difficult period before making up his mind, but is now completely convinced by his choice, adding that he has felt great happiness since joining the Spain squad, where he found the footballing environment best suited to his abilities.
Laporte obtained Spanish citizenship in 2021, before FIFA approved his change of international eligibility following the French federation's agreement to the request submitted by its Spanish counterpart.
Laporte explained that Spain's style of play suits his capabilities better, stressing that possession-based football built from the back gives him the best opportunity to perform at his level, which reinforced his conviction that the decision was the right one.
Notably, Laporte joined the French senior squad on three occasions under current coach Didier Deschamps, yet did not play a single match. When the player chose to represent Spain, Deschamps said he had not spoken to Laporte since his decision to play for La Roja, adding: "I haven't spoken to him again. He has this opportunity and I am happy for him. He was with us, and now he is with them. It is his decision and I respect it."
Since his debut with La Roja in June 2021, Laporte has become a cornerstone of the defensive line, making 52 international appearances and scoring 2 goals. He has also featured in Euro 2021 and Euro 2024, as well as the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
During the 2026 World Cup, Laporte has started every one of Spain's matches since the tournament began, playing every minute, and also provided an assist against Saudi Arabia in the group stage, maintaining his consistent presence in coach Luis de la Fuente's starting lineup.
A special encounter awaits Laporte against France, with the Spanish coach counting on him alongside Pau Cubarsí to lead the defence against Kylian Mbappé. Meanwhile, the player continues to insist that his choice to represent Spain ended years of debate and opened a new chapter in his international career.