‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to success with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward played in England, an teenage representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in September 2015, he scored. The second time he appeared in the country, against Sunderland two months later, he netted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, sure enough, he scored again. Upon his comeback to Manchester to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, also. “Actually,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve netted.” So Athletic did what was necessary: they took him off.
“I got well angry,” the forward admits, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. They didn’t let me play the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is ready to commence; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and another trip to Britain, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for Athletic, partially owing to the demands of being here. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. Yet, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude from him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by Manchester United, and has traveled on a traditional boat through the waterway surrounded by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the UCL, where they are countercultural and returning after absence in ten years. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and he was right. As the child of the one-time rival player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the coach, the former star and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he experienced a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the first team but with every stage you advance through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in half a dozen appearances between his debut and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and my knee gave way.
“It was a huge blow but I look back on it as something positive because it shifted the way I saw things. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it helps. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then head home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, all resources are available, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have been in battles countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”
You also have to play. The striker moved in tears in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually a vacancy arises where you play, recall is possible. You have to be ready. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”
No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
