‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s road from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic

The first time the Spanish forward played in England, an teenage appearing for the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he appeared in England, against the Black Cats weeks after, he converted. The third time, against the Citizens soon after, well, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the city to face United at Leigh’s ground in that year, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, as well. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.

“I was furious,” the forward reveals, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the second half: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, it’s typical. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Manchester United, the usual talk. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At Lezama, Bilbao, the early training is set to begin; following that, the quick travel to the airport and another trip to the UK, this time to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for the team, partially owing to the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.

In the the period since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river surrounded by a huge crowd after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and making their first appearance in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.

The player believed it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. As the child of the one-time rival player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a drop in category and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to experience the peak of his career.

“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the first team but with every stage you advance through you’re still there and you can observe the approach. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his bow and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and I tear my cruciate.

“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as something positive because it shifted the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is challenging, but it helps. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then go home, as a youngster does. At the complex, you have everything, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. With hip imbalance, address that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All those ‘silly things’: execute them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles 200,000 times. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; no exceptions.”

Minutes are crucial. The striker moved in tears in that year, aged 23, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, dedication, confidence, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Especially after the previous season which, on occasions, was involved suffering. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|