‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to success with Athletic

Thehe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta featured in English soil, an teenage appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against German opponents at the English ground in September 2015, he scored. The second time he appeared in England, against Sunderland following that, he netted. The third time, against the Citizens six weeks after that, sure enough, he scored again. When he returned to Manchester to face United at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he scored again. It was a superb volley, too. “Actually,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did their duty: he was replaced.

“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed my contract, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Man United, the typical thing. I’m not certain the validity, but had they contacted me, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At Lezama, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is set to begin; following that, the short journey to Loiu and another flight to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on Wednesday. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for the team, partially owing to the requirements of being here. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their last eight matches and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. Yet, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.

In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a semi-final participant, stopped at the gates a domestic final by United, and has boarded a decades-old barge up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in a decade. “I never imagined this,” he states.

He considered it difficult enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after making his senior debut in that summer, he went through a ACL injury, dropped, a demotion and a call back before he could truly get a chance, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of their lives.

“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the top level but each step you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … departure is necessary.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his bow and February 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 In retrospect as something positive because it shifted the outlook. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it’s beneficial. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. In the facility, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: do them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”

Game time is essential. He left in tears in 2020, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he scored three times in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and if one day they need someone in your position, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

No wonder he says this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the prior campaign which, sometimes, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|