‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from injury table to scoring with Athletic

Thehe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta featured in English soil, an teenage representing the youth squad against German opponents at Wycombe’s stadium in the 2015 season, he scored. On his next visit he appeared in the country, against the Black Cats two months later, he netted. His third outing, against Manchester City not long later, well, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in the 2017 season, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “In fact,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” So Athletic did what they had to do: they took him off.

“I got well angry,” the Athletic striker says, then chuckling. “There must be a video somewhere. Our match against United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I was without a signed agreement, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I don’t know about interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. It’s unclear how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”

Real Sociedad ease tension with bizarre win in unique Basque clash

At the training ground, the Basque Country, the morning session is set to begin; after it, the quick travel to Loiu and another flight to England, now to face Newcastle in the Champions League on midweek. Uttering the name brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for Athletic, due in part to the demands of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have secured just a single victory of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and the German side in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation about him.

In the the period since he had returned to the club, Guruzeta has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary surrounded by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he admits.

He considered it hard enough just to make the first team and that proved true. Born to the former Real Sociedad player his father and a dedicated fan at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is a graduate of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that developed Mikel Arteta, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at his teens but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he suffered a ACL injury, dropped, a drop in category and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.

“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the senior squad but every phase you go through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You arrive and then … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in six games between his bow and that period. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and my knee gave way.

“A severe disappointment but I look back on it as a beneficial experience because it forced me to alter the outlook. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it helps. You adopt practices previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: perform them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles repeatedly. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: I had slender legs. So what happens, happens. Current photos and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Training finishes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; no exceptions.”

Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed upset in 2020, at 23 years old, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in that season, he netted three goals in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and should the time come a vacancy arises in your position, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after last year which, sometimes, was involved suffering. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|