Aymeric Laporte has claimed that Didier Deschamps' reluctance to hand him a senior international cap for France led to him switching allegiance to Spain.
The former Manchester City defender was a crucial part of Luis de la Fuente's La Roja side that won the European Championship in the summer.
Laporte's chances with the national team have not been hampered by his decision to move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023. A far cry from his treatment with Les Blues, where he failed to make a senior appearance despite excelling for Athletic Bilbao.
The 30-year-old opened up on the situation amid ongoing talk that a personal rift between himself and Deschamps resulted in his failure to make the transition from the junior French sides to the seniors.
'I couldn’t wait any longer.' He is reported as saying by RMC Sport via Marca. 'Years went by, in the end, it was always the same with the coach.
Aymeric Laporte has opened up on his decision to switch allegiance from France to Spain
France manager Didier Deschamps never handed the centre back a cap for the senior side
'If I wanted to play in international competitions, I had to make this decision. I’m doing very well with the national team. There were some exchanges of opinion on several occasions (with Deschamps) our relationship was not the best.
'It’s over, I don’t even think about it anymore. Everyone goes their own way.'
Born in Agen, southwest France, Laporte has Basque ancestry through his great-grandparents and began his career with the region's greatest club, Bilbao. Already this fledgling footballer was causing a stir, as critics questioned whether he met the team's distinctive Basque-only recruitment policy.
By 2021, the waiting game was up. Despite multiple call-ups, Laporte had not been given a senior bow, and in May that year the Spanish government confirmed his citizenship while FIFA approved his national switch. His ancestry and previous eight-year residency in the country was enough.
One report by MARCA claimed that he started the application process as early as 2016 on the request of then-Spain manager Julen Lopetegui.
Laporte represented his native France 51 times at various junior levels but never got a senior cap
Deschamps hit back at claims by Laporte that he was given the cold shoulder.
'What makes me uncomfortable is what he might say, and that is a lie,' Deschamps said. The only message I received from him was in October about a precise situation regarding an injury he had sustained in September.
'He has that freedom. He hasn't played for us? It could have happened, ten seconds would have been enough.
'He has always been in the list of players called up, but there has been competition for places.
'Leaving him out is not a mistake, it is just my decision. I wish him the best and he's free to make that choice.'
Over the years pundits have been less sympathetic after what they saw as an act of immense betrayal.
The 30-year-old has been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr since completing a switch from Man City in 2023
Emmanuel Petit questioned whether Laporte had any genuine fondness for Spain or France
'When you sign up and feel French, you go with France,' Jerome Rothen told RMC. 'If you feel Spanish, you go with Spain. But don't be opportunistic.'
Emmanuel Petit also questioned how genuine Laporte was. 'So you can choose the country you want? Do you want to? He had claimed his love for the French team and suddenly went to Spain'.
Laporte now has 37 caps for Spain, a Nations League and a European Championship medal.