‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s road from rehabilitation to scoring with the Basque club
The first time Gorka Guruzeta played in English soil, an 18-year-old representing the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Wycombe’s stadium in fall 2015, he scored. The second time he played in British turf, against the Black Cats following that, he converted. His third outing, against the Citizens soon after, well, he scored again. Upon his comeback to Manchester to face United at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, too. “Truly,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve netted.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: they substituted him.
“I was furious,” the Athletic striker reveals, before breaking into laughter. “Probably there’s a recording. We went to play United and I was in fine form. They kept me out of the second half: I was without a signed deal, goals were flowing, speculation was rife, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the typical thing. I’m not certain how true it was, but supposing an offer came, I would have wanted to stay at Athletic. I feel lucky to be here.”
Real Sociedad ease tension with bizarre win in unique Basque clash
At the training ground, the city, the day’s first practice is set to begin; following that, the quick travel to Loiu airport and another flight to the UK, this time to play Newcastle in the UCL on midweek. Just saying those two words makes Guruzeta smile. It’s turning out to be a challenging campaign for Athletic, partly because of the demands of their participation. Beaten in added time in the derby on Saturday, they have won only one of their past eight league games and been defeated by Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in Europe. But, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation about him.
In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a Europa League semi-finalist, stopped at the gates a domestic final by the English giants, and has ridden an historic vessel along the Nervión river accompanied by a million fans after lifting the trophy, the team’s initial silverware in a long wait. Currently he stands as the top goal-getter in the Champions League, where they are countercultural and debuting in ten years. “I never imagined this,” he says.
Guruzeta thought it challenging enough just to break into the senior squad and he was right. Born to the ex-La Real star the former professional and a season ticket holder at the club that are now his rivals, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the former star and the tactician. He signed for Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in that summer, he went through a torn cruciate, dropped, a drop in category and a return before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to live the best days of his career.
“Entering the youth system not expecting to reach the first team but with every stage you go through you’re still there and you can notice the proximity. You make it and … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in six games between his first game and early 2019. “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 look back on it as a turning point because it made me change the perspective. The rehabilitation process is hard, but it aids growth. You develop habits you didn’t have. Previously I was casual, but I did the sessions and then go home, typical youth behavior. At Lezama, all resources are available, so do everything. Training, prehab. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, correct it. If your ankles are a 10, make it a 12 or a 14. Every small aspect: perform them.
“In the first team you’re going to collide with opponents who have experienced contact 200,000 times. Extremely powerful. I look at photos of me before: my physique was slight. Injuries are inevitable. Present-day images and the improvement is clear. The setback taught me. Sessions end, but additional work remains. Peers are prepared, really ready; you have to be too.”
Game time is essential. He left upset in the pandemic season, at 23 years old, moving to a lower level. At Sabadell in that season, he scored three times in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the following period, the he found his form. “Many experience this: loans, terminated contracts. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually they need someone where you play, a return could happen. Preparation is key. Upon the recall, it was a dream come true. The trophy success, European football, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, on occasions, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|