‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s path from rehabilitation to success with Athletic Bilbao
The initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta featured in England, an young playing for Athletic Bilbao B against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. During his subsequent match he played in the country, against Sunderland weeks after, he converted. The third time, against Pep Guardiola’s team six weeks after that, sure enough, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the city to take on Manchester United at Leigh’s ground in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, too. “In fact,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the forward reveals, then chuckling. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the latter period: I was without a signed my contract, I kept finding the net, speculation was rife, it’s typical. No confirmation on interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain how true it was, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”
La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph
At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is ready to commence; post-session, the short journey to the airport and another trip to England, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the Champions League on Wednesday. Just saying those two words lights him up. It has become a difficult season for the team, due in part to the demands of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. However, consider the broader view, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had rejoined the team, the striker has been a semi-final participant, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river accompanied by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he states.
The player believed it challenging enough just to earn a spot and his assessment was correct. As the child of the ex-La Real star the former professional and a dedicated fan at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced Mikel Arteta, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he went through a ACL injury, being released, a demotion and a return before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the senior squad but each step you advance through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in a handful of matches between his debut and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances there and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but I look back on it as a turning point because it shifted the way I saw things. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines new to you. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I would go to training and then return home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, you have everything, so take full advantage. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, address that. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Present-day images and it’s totally different. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. He left in tears in 2020, aged 23, joining the second tier. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and when eventually the requirement appears for your role, a return could happen. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Particularly after the prior campaign which, at times, was about endurance. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
