‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s journey from gurney to success with the Basque club

Whenhe first time the Spanish forward competed in England, an young playing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Adams Park in fall 2015, he found the net. The second time he appeared in British turf, against the English side weeks after, he scored. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, indeed, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, too. “In fact,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: they took him off.

“I became very upset,” the forward says, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I came across reports about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I have no idea if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the facility, the city, the morning session is ready to commence; after it, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another flight to England, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the requirements of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.

In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river flanked by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he says.

Guruzeta thought it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. The son of the one-time rival player his father and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the coach, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He joined Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he experienced a torn cruciate, dropped, a drop in category and a return before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to enjoy the highlights of their lives.

“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the senior squad but with every stage you advance through you’re persisting and you can observe the approach. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his first game and early 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and my knee gave way.

“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it made me change the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it aids growth. You adopt practices you didn’t have. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, you have everything, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: do them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; the same applies.”

You also have to play. He left emotionally in that year, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and when eventually a vacancy arises where you play, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Particularly after the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|