Aymeric Laporte and Cristiano Ronaldo had contrasting reactions as Spain eliminated Portugal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ronaldo was visibly upset, leaving the field in tears after Portugal’s Round of 16 exit. In contrast, Laporte was all smiles as Spain secured a spot in the quarterfinals, extending their impressive defensive record.
Laporte had previously spent two years alongside Ronaldo at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia from 2023 to 2025 before returning to Athletic Club, where he started his professional career. His international career faced a setback when Spain’s coach dropped him from the national team due to concerns about the level of competition in the Saudi league preparing players for international football.
After returning to Athletic Club following negotiations and FIFA intervention due to an administrative error by Al Nassr, Laporte initially struggled with fitness in La Liga. However, his strong positional sense, calmness in possession, and tactical understanding gradually helped him regain form, earning a recall to the national team.
Laporte’s impact at the World Cup has been significant, starting in every match and forming a solid partnership with young defender Pau Cubarsi in Spain’s defense. Spain remains the only team yet to concede a goal in the tournament, with Laporte’s passing accuracy and defensive contributions proving vital in their attacks and stability at the back.
