‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s journey from rehabilitation to scoring with Athletic Bilbao

Thehe debut appearance Gorka Guruzeta featured in the UK, an 18-year-old appearing for the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at Adams Park in September 2015, he found the net. On his next visit he played in British turf, against the Black Cats two months later, he scored. Another occasion, against Manchester City soon after, well, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the city to take on Manchester United at the sports complex in that year, he did it once more. It was a superb volley, too. “Truly,” he says, “it’s a top-class goal I’ve ever scored.” So Athletic did what they had to do: he was replaced.

“I was furious,” the attacker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: I was without a signed agreement, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding the Magpies’ pursuit, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I’m not certain the validity, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”

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At the training ground, the Basque Country, the early training is ready to commence; after it, the brief trip to Loiu airport and another flight to England, now to face Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Mentioning that phrase lights him up. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the team, due in part to the demands of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have won only one of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in Europe. Yet, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and future challenges, and he feels a calm gratitude within him.

In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle the showpiece event by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a huge crowd after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in four decades. Now he is Athletic’s top scorer in the Champions League, where they are unique and returning after absence in a long period. “This was beyond my dreams,” he admits.

He considered it challenging enough just to earn a spot and he was right. The son of the one-time rival player his father and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that produced Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and Andoni Iraola. He joined Athletic at his teens but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he suffered a serious knee problem, dropped, a demotion and a recall before he could earn his place, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of the club’s history.

“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the top level but each step 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 with them and I suffered the ACL injury.

“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a turning point because it shifted the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is difficult, but it helps. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then return home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, you have everything, so do everything. Training, prehab. Get in the gym. Should your hips be uneven, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: execute them.

“In the first team you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players countless occasions. They’re so strong. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Current photos and it’s totally different. Injury made me see that. Practice concludes, but further effort is needed. Teammates are set, really ready; you have to be too.”

Game time is essential. The striker moved emotionally in that year, aged 23, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in the 20-21 campaign, he scored three times in numerous matches. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: temporary moves, ended deals. With a turnaround, work, believe, and if one day the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Readiness is vital. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, European football, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

Little surprise he states appreciate the experience. Especially after the previous season which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with a high tally, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|