‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s road from injury table to scoring with Athletic
Thehe initial occasion the Spanish forward played in the UK, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at the English ground in fall 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he appeared in British turf, against the English side two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against the Citizens six weeks after that, sure enough, he scored again. As he revisited to the city to face United at the sports complex in 2017, he did it once more. An excellent finish, also. “Actually,” he states, “it’s a top-class goal in my career.” So Athletic did their duty: he was replaced.
“I became very upset,” the attacker reveals, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was pretty good. They kept me out of the second half: I was without a signed my contract, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
Real Sociedad ease tension with bizarre win in unique Basque clash
At the facility, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; following that, the short journey to the airport and another trip to England, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on midweek. Mentioning that phrase makes Guruzeta smile. It has become a tough year for the team, due in part to the requirements of competing at this level. Defeated late on in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates the showpiece event by the English giants, and has traveled on a traditional boat up the Nervión estuary flanked by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are unique and making their first appearance in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
He considered it challenging enough just to earn a spot and that proved true. Born to the former Real Sociedad player his father and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that produced Mikel Arteta, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after making his senior debut in that summer, he experienced a torn cruciate, dropped, a demotion and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of his career.
“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the first team but every phase you advance through you’re remaining and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in a handful of matches between his first game and February 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.
“A massive setback but I reflect on it as something positive because it forced me to alter the perspective. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You adopt practices you didn’t have. It’s not that you don’t look after yourself, but I would go to training and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Strength training. Should your hips be uneven, correct it. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. Every small aspect: execute them.
“Among professionals you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Look at pictures of me now and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. The striker moved upset in 2020, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the following period, the scoring picked up. “Many experience this: temporary moves, ended deals. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and if one day they need someone in your position, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When they decided to call again, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Particularly after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was involved suffering. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
