‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to goals with Athletic

The debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta competed in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. The second time he played in the country, against Sunderland two months later, he netted. The third time, against Manchester City six weeks after that, sure enough, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to face United at Leigh’s ground in 2017, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, also. “Actually,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did their duty: they substituted him.

“I got well angry,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: my contract wasn’t finalized agreement, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, you know how it is. No confirmation on the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about Man United, the usual talk. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. It’s a privilege.”

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At Lezama, Bilbao, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; after it, the quick travel to the airport and another flight to the UK, on this occasion to play Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Uttering the name lights him up. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, partly because of the demands of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their last eight matches and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in Europe. Yet, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.

In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, prevented from reaching a final at home by United, and has boarded a decades-old barge along the Nervión river flanked by a huge crowd after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Now he is the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are countercultural and making their first appearance in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he states.

The player believed it challenging enough just to make the first team and he was right. Born to the one-time rival player the former professional and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured the coach, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in that summer, he suffered a torn cruciate, the cut, a drop in category and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of the club’s history.

“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the top level but each step you go through you’re still there and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in six games between his first game and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.

“A massive setback but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it shifted the outlook. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it helps. You develop habits new to you. It’s not about neglect, but I did the sessions and then go home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, you have everything, so do everything. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, address that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. Every small aspect: do them.

“At the top level you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact countless occasions. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: I had slender legs. Injuries are inevitable. Current photos and it’s totally different. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”

Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed emotionally in the pandemic season, aged 23, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, effort, faith, and should the time come they need someone for your role, a return could happen. You have to be ready. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

Little surprise he states this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the previous season which, on occasions, was about endurance. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|