‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s path from injury table to success with Athletic Bilbao
Thehe debut appearance the Athletic striker competed in England, an young representing Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he found the net. During his subsequent match he appeared in the country, against the Black Cats following that, he scored. Another occasion, against the Citizens six weeks after that, well, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh’s ground in that year, he found the back of the net. It was a superb volley, too. “In fact,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what was necessary: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the forward admits, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the latter period: I was without a signed agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the usual talk. I’m not certain how true it was, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the early training is set to begin; post-session, the short journey to the airport and a further journey to England, this time to face Newcastle in the Champions League on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a tough year for the club, due in part to the pressures of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and the German side in European competition. But, look at the overall situation, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by the English giants, and has boarded a decades-old barge along the Nervión river accompanied by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in 40 years. Now he is the top goal-getter in the UCL, where they are countercultural and debuting in a decade. “This was beyond my dreams,” he says.
The player believed it difficult enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at his teens but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he experienced a serious knee problem, being released, a relegation and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, returning at 26 to enjoy the highlights of his career.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the top level but each step you go through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his bow and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as something positive because it shifted the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it helps. You develop habits you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I attended practice and then head home, as a youngster does. At the complex, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. With hip imbalance, work on that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. Every small aspect: execute them.
“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players countless occasions. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but there’s more to do. Everyone else is ready, really ready; the same applies.”
Minutes are crucial. The striker moved in tears in the pandemic season, aged 23, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, 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: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, work, believe, and should the time come a vacancy arises in your position, they might come back for you. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, play in Europe, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Little surprise he states savor the moment. Especially after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|