'It's a massive game. We have to do our best to win' - Laporte on the Capital Derby | OneFootball

As a defender of plentiful experience at the very pinnacle of the game, Aymeric Laporte knows a thing or two about contesting high-profile matches.

He is, of course, an English Premier League winner and champion of Europe, part of that all-conquering, treble-winning team at Manchester City.

Only last summer, the decorated defender added the 2024 UEFA European Championship title to the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League crown captured with Spain, his national team.

His time in Saudi Arabia has been no different; since moving to Al Nassr in the summer of 2023, Laporte has contributed to some mighty matches in the Kingdom.

In his debut campaign in the Roshn Saudi League, the defender played a pivotal part in Al Nassr finishing runner-up to Al Hilal.

There have been Saudi Super Cup clashes, also, King’s Cup encounters and AFC Champions League and Champions Elite tussles, too.

Some of the most momentous, though, come around twice every season in the RSL. The latest will unwind on Friday night in Riyadh, when Al Nassr travel across the city to take on Al Hilal in the second Capital Derby of 2024-25.

As always, the stakes are high – and not simply because of the bragging rights in play. With nine rounds of the RSL remaining, Al Nassr sit third in the table, one place and six points behind current champions Al Hilal.

Al Ittihad, who compete this weekend in a major match of their own – the Sea Derby against Jeddah rivals Al Ahli – are still within reach at the summit.

So Laporte, with all that elite-level experience, is well aware of the significance of the Riyadh skirmish taking place 24 hours earlier, at what’s sure to be a sold-out Kingdom Arena.

“To be honest, big match, massive for us, for them also,” the Spaniard tells the SPL. “Because it's always important for both teams to win these kinds of games.

“Even because now we're in the last part of the season, so a big moment and we have to try to get the three points. We know it is always difficult, especially in this game, because they’re a direct rival for us and so we'll try our best to win this... we have to do our best to win.”

Laporte, 30, knows well what Al Hilal have to offer in attack. He has come up against Aleksandar Mitrovic many times already, both in England and Saudi, including the 1-1 draw that played out at Al Awwal Park last November.

The Al Nassr centre-back, who tells the SPL he considers Vincent Kompany the best defender he has played alongside, will be determined to keep out Al Hilal and give back to the Al Nassr fans.

It is with whom he has built a special affinity - a relationship only deepened earlier this year when the club’s supporters offered their backing through an extremely emotional time for Laporte.

The Capital Derby, then, provides another platform to repay the sentiment.

“Just enjoy everything,” Laporte says in a message to the fans. “We'll try our best in the game. At home, the people are singing a lot. They're supporting us in the good and the bad moments, so we're very happy.

'In the end, we'll try best and, of course, we want [to win the derby] as much as you guys.”