‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s road from injury table to scoring with Athletic
The initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta featured in England, an young playing for the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he scored. The second time he appeared in England, against the Black Cats two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against the Citizens not long later, sure enough, he did it once more. As he revisited to Manchester to face United at the sports complex in that year, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, as well. “Truly,” he remarks, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.
“I became very upset,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I hadn’t yet signed deal, I kept finding the net, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at the club. It’s a privilege.”
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At the training ground, Bilbao, the morning session is set to begin; post-session, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another trip to England, now to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on midweek. Uttering the name makes Guruzeta smile. This is proving a tough year for the team, partially owing to the requirements of being here. Defeated late on in the weekend clash, they have secured just a single victory of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in the continental stage. Yet, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation within him.
In the the period since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary flanked by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. He’s now Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are unique and returning after absence in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to earn a spot and he was right. Born to the one-time rival player the former professional and a season ticket holder at the team he now opposes, Guruzeta is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his top-level debut in that summer, he suffered a torn cruciate, dropped, a drop in category and a recall before he could earn his place, making his comeback to live the best days of his career.
“You go into the academy thinking you won’t reach the first team but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his first game and early 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I suffered the ACL injury.
“A severe disappointment but I reflect on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the perspective. Healing from a serious ailment is hard, but it aids growth. You develop habits new to you. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I did the sessions and then go home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. All the minor details: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. The striker moved emotionally in 2020, aged 23, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in forty appearances. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Players go through it: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Particularly after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
