‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s path from gurney to success with Athletic Bilbao
Whenhe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta played in England, an teenage representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he appeared in the country, against Sunderland weeks after, he converted. Another occasion, against the Citizens not long later, well, he scored again. As he revisited to Manchester to face United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he scored again. It was a superb volley, as well. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: they substituted him.
“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker admits, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed deal, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I don’t know about Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at Athletic. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the facility, the city, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; following that, the short journey to Loiu airport and a further journey to England, now to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a tough year for the team, due in part to the demands of their participation. Beaten in added 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 European competition. Yet, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection within 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 final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river flanked by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in a long wait. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in August 2018, he went through a ACL injury, the cut, a demotion and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of his career.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the top level but each step you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it shifted the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You develop habits new to you. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I would go to training and then return home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, address that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. All the minor details: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have crashed into players countless occasions. Highly robust. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved upset in that year, at 23 years old, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and should the time come the requirement appears for your role, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, at times, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
