Two weeks ago, Aymeric Laporte, the Spanish international and former Manchester City player, strongly criticized the mentality reigning in Saudi Arabia, a championship he joined last summer by signing for Al-Nassr, Cristiano's club Ronaldo.
“A lot of players are not happy in Saudi Arabia.
They take everything lightly, they take care of us, but not enough for my liking.
In other words, in Europe, they pay you a good salary, but they take better care of you.
You negotiate something and they don't agree to it after you sign it.
They fight you…”, declared the central defender in the columns of As.
But Laporte still manages to have fun on the pitch.
This Thursday, he scored the best goal of his career and certainly one of the best of the season.
[🎞️VIDEO -⚽️GOAL] 🏆 #RiyadhSeasonCup
😱😱😱 AYMERIC LAPORTE SCORES A STRATOSPHERIC FREE KICK FROM HIS OWN HALF OF THE FIELD!!!!
https://t.co/4BsBb4jWQx
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) February 1, 2024
Of course, it was only a friendly match between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami where Ronaldo (in the stands) and Messi (slightly injured, remained on the bench) were unable to face each other.
But Laporte will long remember his inspiration on this free kick taken from his own side, which lobbed Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, too advanced, in the 12th minute.
A crazy goal that the director missed live, who probably didn't expect Laporte to trigger such a strike.
But there was the slow motion and the images of Ronaldo, exulting in the VIP stands.
Read alsoLigue 2: a lob from the halfway line… the video of the exceptional goal by Pierre-Yves Hamel (Paris FC)
Deprived of Messi but with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez starting, Inter Miami completely missed the start of the match, conceding three goals in the first quarter of an hour (3-0).