‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to scoring with Athletic
The debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in the UK, an teenage representing the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side following that, he converted. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, sure enough, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to face United at the sports complex in 2017, he scored again. An excellent finish, also. “In fact,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what was necessary: they substituted him.
“I became very upset,” the forward admits, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was pretty good. They didn’t let me play the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, it’s typical. I don’t know about the Magpies’ pursuit, but I remember reading about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain how true it was, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the facility, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is about to start; post-session, the short journey to Loiu airport and another trip to England, now to play Newcastle in the UCL on Wednesday. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. This is proving a challenging campaign for the club, partially owing to the requirements of their participation. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. But, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and a sense of thankful reflection from him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway flanked by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he states.
The player believed it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and his assessment was correct. Born to the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed the coach, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his top-level debut in August 2018, he went through a torn cruciate, the cut, a drop in category and a return before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of their lives.
“Joining the setup doubting you’ll make the senior squad but with every stage you progress through you’re remaining and you can see it getting closer. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his bow and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it shifted the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I would go to training and then go home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have experienced contact countless occasions. Extremely powerful. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Present-day images and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. He left emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, dropping into the second division. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. If you turn it round, work, believe, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. You have to be ready. When they decided to call again, a fantasy realized. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
