‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to goals with Athletic
Whenhe first time the Spanish forward played in the UK, an 18-year-old appearing for the youth squad against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in September 2015, he scored. During his subsequent match he took the field in British turf, against the English side two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, indeed, he scored again. Upon his comeback to the northwest to face United at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he scored again. It was a superb volley, too. “Actually,” he remarks, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I became very upset,” the Athletic striker reveals, and then he starts laughing. “There must be a video somewhere. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the latter period: I hadn’t yet signed my contract, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, as you’d expect. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I’m fortunate to be here.”
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At the facility, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is ready to commence; post-session, the quick travel to the airport and a further journey to England, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on Wednesday. Uttering the name lights him up. It has become a difficult season for Athletic, partially owing to the requirements of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in European competition. Yet, take in the big picture, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a semi-final participant, prevented from reaching a final at home by Manchester United, and has traveled on a traditional boat through the waterway surrounded by a million fans after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in four decades. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are unique and returning after absence in a long period. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
He considered it hard enough just to make the first team 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 graduate of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that nurtured the coach, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he went through a ACL injury, being released, a demotion and a recall before he could earn his place, making his comeback to enjoy the highlights of their lives.
“Entering the youth system thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his debut and February 2019. “Subsequently I returned to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. A few matches at that level and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it’s beneficial. You adopt practices previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then return home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Work, precaution. Hit the weights. With hip imbalance, correct it. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. All those ‘silly things’: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have been in battles repeatedly. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: I had slender legs. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”
Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed emotionally in that year, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in forty appearances. At Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “Players go through it: transfers, releases. With a turnaround, effort, faith, and if one day a vacancy arises in your position, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
No wonder he says savor the moment. Especially after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
