‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from rehabilitation to success with the Basque club
Thehe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta featured in English soil, an 18-year-old representing the youth squad against German opponents at the English ground in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he appeared in British turf, against Sunderland two months later, he netted. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, sure enough, he repeated the feat. As he revisited to the city to play against the Red Devils at the sports complex in that year, he did it once more. An excellent finish, as well. “Truly,” he remarks, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the forward says, then chuckling. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I performed well. They didn’t let me play the latter period: I was without a signed agreement, goals were flowing, many stories circulated, it’s typical. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I came across reports about the Red Devils, standard transfer gossip. I have no idea if it was accurate, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the training ground, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is set to begin; following that, the brief trip to Loiu and another trip to Britain, on this occasion to take on the Magpies in the Champions League on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It has become a difficult season for the team, partly because of the demands of being here. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. But, consider the broader view, the major occasions he’s experienced and those that lie ahead, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.
In the 36 months since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta has been a Europa League semi-finalist, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by Manchester United, and has boarded a decades-old barge through the waterway accompanied by a million fans after winning the Copa del Rey, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are distinctive and debuting in a long period. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to make the first team and that proved true. Born to the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the local academy that produced the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he went through a serious knee problem, the cut, a demotion and a call back before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of his career.
“You go into the academy doubting you’ll make the first team but every phase you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … you’re sent away.” He had limited game time in six games between his first game 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 massive setback but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the perspective. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it’s beneficial. You develop habits new to you. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, as a youngster does. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so take full advantage. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. If your ankles are a 10, improve it more. Every small aspect: execute them.
“At the top level you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”
You also have to play. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, in his early twenties, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he netted three goals in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the following period, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and should the time come they need someone in your position, a return could happen. Readiness is vital. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Especially after the previous season which, at times, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with sixteen goals, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
