‘All those silly things – do them’: Guruzeta’s path from gurney to goals with the Basque club
The initial occasion Gorka Guruzeta featured in English soil, an young appearing for the reserve team against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he played in British turf, against the Black Cats weeks after, he netted. The third time, against the Citizens six weeks after that, indeed, 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. It was a superb volley, also. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they took him off.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker admits, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. We traveled to face United and I was pretty good. I wasn’t allowed to feature the second half: I was without a signed agreement, goals were flowing, there were lots of rumours, you know how it is. No confirmation on Newcastle being interested, but I came across reports about Manchester United, the typical thing. It’s unclear how true it was, but had they contacted me, my desire was to remain at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At the training ground, the Basque Country, the morning session is about to start; post-session, the short journey to Loiu and another flight to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the European elite competition on Wednesday. Just saying those two words lights him up. It’s turning out to be a tough year for Athletic, partially owing to the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the weekend clash, they have won only one of their recent league fixtures and fallen to the Gunners and Dortmund in the continental stage. However, take in the big picture, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a domestic final by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the European competition, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
The player believed it hard enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. The son of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a dedicated fan at the opposition side, Guruzeta is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that produced the Arsenal manager, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. His move to Athletic came at 17 but after his first-team bow in the 2018 season, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a relegation and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of their lives.
“Entering the youth system not expecting to reach the top level but each step you progress through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You arrive and then … you have to leave.” He had limited game time in half a dozen appearances between his bow and early 2019. “Then I was sent to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances at that level and my knee gave way.
“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as a turning point because it forced me to alter the outlook. Recovering from a long-term injury is hard, but it helps. You cultivate routines previously lacking. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then go home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, all resources are available, so take full advantage. Work, precaution. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, work on that. Assuming ankle mobility is good, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: execute them.
“In the first team you’re going to face physical challenges who have crashed into players repeatedly. They’re so strong. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Sessions end, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
Minutes are crucial. Guruzeta departed upset in the pandemic season, aged 23, moving to a lower level. During his Sabadell spell in 2020-21, he netted three goals in 40 games. During his Amorebieta stint in the latter part of the season, the scoring picked up. “Many experience this: transfers, releases. If you turn it round, effort, faith, and if one day a vacancy arises for your role, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, an aspiration fulfilled. To then win the Copa del Rey, European football, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks appreciate the experience. All the more so after last year which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, his output dropped to seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
