‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s journey from injury table to scoring with the Basque club
The debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta competed in English soil, an teenage representing Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in fall 2015, he scored. On his next visit he appeared in England, against Sunderland following that, he scored. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team 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 2017, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker reveals, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: my contract wasn’t finalized deal, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I have no idea how true it was, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the facility, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; after it, the short journey to Loiu airport and another trip to England, now to play Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It has become a challenging campaign for Athletic, partially owing to the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in European competition. Yet, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.
In the the period since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are unique and debuting in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.
He considered it difficult enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the ex-La Real star his father and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in the 2018 season, he suffered a ACL injury, the cut, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of their lives.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the first team but each step you advance through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in six games between his first game and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it helps. You develop habits previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then return home, like when you’re a kid. In the facility, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, improve it more. All the minor details: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles 200,000 times. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. He left in tears in the pandemic season, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he got three strikes in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and if one day the requirement appears for your role, they might come back for you. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
