‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic
Whenhe first time Gorka Guruzeta played in English soil, an teenage representing Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he scored. The second time he played in British turf, against Sunderland two months later, he converted. Another occasion, against the Citizens soon after, well, he scored again. When he returned to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he scored again. A spectacular strike, also. “In fact,” he says, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the attacker admits, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear the validity, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, Bilbao, the morning session is ready to commence; post-session, the quick travel to the airport and another trip to Britain, now to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words lights him up. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for the team, partially owing to the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and Dortmund in Europe. Yet, consider the broader view, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
The player believed it hard enough just to make the first team and he was right. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a call back before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to live the best days of their lives.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the top level but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in a handful of matches between his debut and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it helps. You adopt practices you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I attended practice and then go home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, you have everything, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, address that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved upset in that year, aged 23, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, work, believe, and if one day a vacancy arises where you play, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the previous season which, sometimes, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
