‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club
Whenhe debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in England, an 18-year-old playing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he found the net. The second time he took the field in British turf, against Sunderland weeks after, he scored. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he did it once more. As he revisited to the northwest to face United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he found the back of the net. An excellent finish, too. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” Therefore the team did their duty: they substituted him.
“I became very upset,” the attacker admits, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I have no idea how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to the airport and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the club, due in part to the pressures of being here. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in the continental stage. But, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the three years since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river surrounded by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are unique and returning after absence in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it difficult enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. The son of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a ACL injury, being released, a drop in category and a recall before he could truly get a chance, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but each step you progress through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games there and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as something positive because it made me change the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then go home, typical youth behavior. In the facility, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. The striker moved emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in that season, he got three strikes in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and when eventually the requirement appears in your position, a return could happen. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. All the more so after last year which, sometimes, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
