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Several Al-Nassr fans online have raved about Aymeric Laporte as Cristiano Ronaldo's side scrapped past Esteghlal FC 1-0 in the AFC Champions League on October 22. The win at the Al-Rashid Stadium placed Al-Nassr fourth in Group B, behind A-Hilal, Al-Ahli Saudi, and Al-Sadd.
Aymeric Laporte was one of the finest players in the game for the Knights of Najd, accumulating a rating of 8.6 on Sofascore - the highest in the match. The Spanish center-back recorded three tackles, and three clearances and maintained an impressive passing accuracy of 93% (83/89). Laporte also won five out of six ground duels and both air duels attempted in the game.
(The above stats were taken from Sofascore on October 22. These platforms may change these stats as per their prerogative)
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More importantly, Laporte also scored the match-winning goal for Cristiano Ronaldo's side in the 81st minute. A leaping Cristiano Ronaldo met Marcelo Brozović's corner. While his header was saved, the ball fell kindly for Laporte and the Spaniard deposited the ball into the net.
It was the third consecutive game in which the Spaniard scored for club and country. His previous goal came in Al-Nassr's 2-1 win over Al-Shadab on October 18 at the Al-Shadab FC Stadium. Laporte's goalscoring streak started in Spain's 3-0 win over Serbia on October 15 at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel.
Fans hopped on to X to lavish praise on the Al-Nassr defender. Some popular comments are as follows:
"Laporte saving Al Nassr for the 3rd game," wrote a fan.
"Our savior[27 emoji] the goat," commented another fan.
One Al-Nassr faithful declared Aymeric Laporte as one of the top 10 defenders in the world, writing:
"Laporte top ten CB in the world tbh."
"Laporte scores every game in game out yet he's a defender ?" raved another user.
"These kinds of matches totally made for Laporte to shine. I knew it," inferred another.
Cristiano Ronaldo's former club Real Madrid considering a move for Al-Nassr's Aymeric Laporte: Reports
According to a report by Mario Cortegana of The Athletic (via @MadridXtra on X), Real Madrid are looking to bring Aymeric Laporte to Santiago Bernabeu. The LaLiga giants currently lack options at the back because of injuries to Dani Carvajal and David Alaba.
Laporte was touted to sign for Real Madrid last season but opted to play with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. However, in an interview with Marca (via Yahoo Sports), the Spaniard revealed that Los Blancos never tried to make any contact with him since leaving Manchester City in 2023.
"There was nothing, no approach. In Saudi Arabia, I'm far from my normal surroundings and family. I could consider in future returning to Europe. If an offer comes in, it has to be looked at," he said.
Earlier this year, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted that he was happy with the squad despite the injury problems. The Italian tactician backed the youngsters to deliver on the big stage (via Football Espana).
