The viral phrase and shirt Aymeric Laporte wore with Spain ahead of the UEFA Nations League

The World Cup champion is preparing for his first official challenge after lifting the title, and Aymeric Laporte is doing so with a phrase that recalls a memorable moment. Here is the story behind the defender’s viral shirt.

Aymeric Laporte once again grabbed attention during the Spain national team’s camp for the FIFA international break, although this time it was not because of his performance on the pitch. The defender arrived in Las Rozas wearing a simple white shirt featuring a phrase that fans immediately recognized.

THE SHIRT THAT SPARKED A REACTION

As the players arrived at the Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas in Madrid, attention turned to Laporte because of the message printed on his shirt: “Why not?”

The phrase, written in black across the chest, quickly began circulating on X, where fans remembered one of the defender’s most memorable moments with Spain.

THE ORIGIN OF THE PHRASE

The story dates back to November 21, 2022, during a press conference ahead of the Qatar World Cup. Journalist Antón Meana asked Aymeric Laporte why he believed Spain could win the World Cup. The defender gave a short and direct answer: “Why not?”

The phrase regained prominence during the 2026 World Cup, particularly after Spain won the title on July 19.

Four years after that response, Laporte brought the message back on his shirt, turning it once again into a nod to the recent history of the Spain national team.

La Roja will look to win this title for the first time since 2023, when it claimed the only trophy it currently has in this competition, which is set to enter its fifth edition.

The next opportunity will come in the Nations League, the first test of a new era whose major milestones will be Euro 2028, the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2032.