‘All those little things – make sure you do them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to goals with the Basque club
The initial occasion the Spanish forward played in English soil, an 18-year-old appearing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he scored. On his next visit he appeared in British turf, against the Black Cats two months later, he netted. Another occasion, against Manchester City not long later, indeed, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in that year, he found the back of the net. A spectacular strike, too. “In fact,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the forward says, before breaking into laughter. “There must be a video somewhere. We traveled to face United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the final 45 minutes: I was without a signed agreement, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about the Red Devils, the usual talk. I have no idea if it was accurate, but supposing an offer came, my desire was to remain at the club. 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 another flight to Britain, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a difficult season for Athletic, partly because of the requirements of being here. Beaten in added time in the weekend clash, they have managed just one win of their recent league fixtures and lost against Arsenal and the German side in European competition. Yet, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and future challenges, and a sense of thankful reflection within him.
In the the period since he had rejoined the team, Guruzeta 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 flanked by countless supporters after lifting the trophy, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the UCL, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he states.
Guruzeta thought it hard enough just to break into the senior squad and that proved true. The son of the one-time rival player the former professional and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the local academy that produced the coach, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He signed for Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in that summer, he went through a ACL injury, dropped, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, coming back aged 26 to experience the peak of his career.
“Joining the setup thinking you won’t reach the senior squad but with every stage you advance through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in six games between his debut and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games at that level and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but I reflect on it as a beneficial experience because it made me change the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it helps. You adopt practices new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then return home, like when you’re a kid. At the complex, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Work, precaution. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. All the minor details: perform them.
“At the top level you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players 200,000 times. They’re so strong. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Practice concludes, but additional work remains. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”
Minutes are crucial. He left upset in that year, in his early twenties, dropping into the second division. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the second half of 2021-22, the he found his form. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, work, believe, and should the time come a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. Lifting the cup, play in Europe, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. Especially after the prior campaign which, at times, was about endurance. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|