Aymeric Laporte has insisted he's "not a football addict" and doesn't even check what time Manchester City's games start at.
Laporte, 28, has helped City win nine major trophies - including for Premier League titles - since arriving at the Etihad from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018. He's currently representing Spain at the World Cup, although he's not watching their rivals on the telly.
The 18-cap international has revealed he's not bothered about watching matches and is focused on winning the World Cup. Laporte believes Spain can win their second world title in Qatar because they have "spectacular footballers" and "dominate possession".
"I’m not a football addict," Laporte told The Guardian. "Honestly, I don’t like watching matches... Honestly, when I play for City, I don’t even know what time kick-off is. My family call and say, 'Hey, what time tomorrow?' [and I reply] 'I don’t know'."
Laporte added: "I’ve always loved it; it’s my passion. But what matters on the pitch isn’t always reflected away from football. And that could annoy me. It doesn’t reach the point where it annoys me because I don’t even look, I don’t read. The less I watch the better."
Laporte also said "I haven't even looked" and "haven't done the predictions" when asked if he's checked Spain's pathway to the final. He was then quizzed on who Spain will play in the next round if they progress from Group E. "No idea," he replied while laughing.
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Luis Enrique's side will reach the last 16 of the World Cup if they avoid defeat to Japan on Thursday, while a win would secure top spot. All four teams can still qualify from the group, with Germany taking on Costa Rica in the other game.
If they progress, Spain will face one of Croatia, Morocco or Belgium for a place in the quarter-finals. Croatia are top of Group F and will confirm their place in the last 16 with a draw against Belgium on Thursday. Realistically, the Belgians need to win to progress.
Morocco are second in Group F and can guarantee their spot in the next round by beating Canada on the same day. The Canadians lost their first two games and have already been eliminated. It's very difficult to predict who will progress from Groups E and F.
Although Spain's fate hangs in the balance, Laporte is not worried about them being eliminated anytime soon. When asked if he's seen a better team at the World Cup, he said: "In terms of play: sincerely, no" - although this is a man who doesn't watch much football.
Laporte added: "Individually, there are lots of teams with really great players but in terms of the football, the play, very few [like us]."
Spain produced a dazzling display to beat Costa Rica 7-0 in their opener and were unlucky not to beat Germany in their last outing, as a late Niclas Fullkrug goal snatch a 1-1 draw.
