Laporte on Athletic, Valverde on Laporte
Friday, October 16, 2015
Article summary
"It's a pleasure to play here," said French centre-back Aymeric Laporte as he discussed his childhood move to Bilbao and what he sacrificed for footballing success.
Article top media content
Article body
Moving to Bilbao …
I joined the club when I was 15 with four other French players. I already knew one of them – we were in the Aquitaine team together. All five of us joined and everything went well from the start.
The lad that I knew already spoke good Spanish so he helped me out at first. We studied at the Lycée Français in Bilbao which also helped. Little by little, over three or four months, I learned how to speak the language quite well.
Injury setbacks …
I suffered two injuries, one in my right lateral meniscus, the other in my left medial meniscus. It was in my second year that I had a problem with my right knee.
Two years ago it happened again. I worked hard once again to recover, as many other players have done. It was tough. I think each injury makes you stronger.
Making sacrifices …
If someone had told me when I was 13 or 14 that I'd be a centre-back at a leading European team, it would have really surprised me. I've worked hard for it. I left home very young. I was away by 12, although I was very attached to my family.
When I was 15 I came here without my family, even if they did help me a lot, especially on the phone. I've made sacrifices, but it's been worth it. All that gives me even more desire to work hard and be a success.
Ernesto Valverde …
Valverde is a top coach. He has helped me a lot in all things: personal, the football side, tactical, technical. He showed particular faith in me last season and during this new campaign. I'm very happy under him.
Athletic debut …
It was in 2012 in Israel [a 2-0 win at Hapoel Kiryat Shmona]. It was the first time I'd been in the squad and my very first start too, so I killed two birds with one stone. After that, I played 15 consecutive league matches.
On Athletic's 2012 UEFA Europa League final run …
We reached two finals in 2012, the Europa League and the Copa del Rey. It was a wonderful feeling and we thought we'd win at least one of them – though it didn't turn out like that. But it's the sort of experience that makes you believe. It was fantastic and we hope this season will be similar.
Signing a new four-year deal this summer …
It's a pleasure to play here and I hope to go as far as I can with the club and win some trophies. We have already managed one this season [beating Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup].
Ernesto Valverde on Laporte …
He is a very important player for us and has a bright future ahead of him. He is one of the pillars of the team. It's true that he is still young and needs to improve some things, but he is a real player already.
He is already pretty mature despite his young age and you can see that on the pitch. The position he plays comes with a lot of responsibility. He can initiate moves really well, he is fast and physically very strong.
Experience is always important for a centre-back and there are experienced centre-backs who just know how to position themselves. So if you're already gaining that experience at the age of 21, just imagine what is ahead of you.