‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: The striker’s journey from injury table to success with Athletic
Whenhe first time the Spanish forward featured in the UK, an 18-year-old representing Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in fall 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he converted. Another occasion, against Manchester City soon after, well, he scored again. When he returned to the northwest to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in that year, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, also. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: they took him off.
“I became very upset,” the forward admits, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I was scoring goals, there were lots of rumours, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I’m not certain the validity, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the facility, the Basque Country, the morning session is about to start; after it, the short journey to Loiu airport and a further journey to the UK, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Uttering the name makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, partly because of the pressures of being here. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in the continental stage. However, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching the showpiece event by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in 40 years. He’s now the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are countercultural and debuting in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
He considered it hard enough just to earn a spot and that proved true. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, the forward is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He joined Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he experienced a torn cruciate, dropped, a relegation and a call back before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to live the best days of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his bow and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but I look back on it as a turning point because it made me change the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is difficult, but it aids growth. You adopt practices new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then head home, as a youngster does. At Lezama, you have everything, so do everything. Training, prehab. Hit the weights. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, enhance it further. Every small aspect: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my legs are chicken legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. He left in tears in 2020, in his early twenties, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and when eventually a vacancy arises for your role, recall is possible. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
No wonder he says savor the moment. Particularly after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|