‘Every minor detail – execute them’: The striker’s road from injury table to goals with Athletic
Whenhe debut appearance the Athletic striker competed in England, an young representing the reserve team against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at Adams Park in the 2015 season, he hit the target. During his subsequent match he appeared in the country, against the English side following that, he converted. The third time, against Manchester City not long later, well, he scored again. As he revisited to the northwest to play against the Red Devils at Leigh Sports Village in 2017, he did it once more. A spectacular strike, too. “Actually,” he states, “it’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored.” Therefore the team did what they had to do: he was replaced.
“I got well angry,” the forward reveals, and then he starts laughing. “Probably there’s a recording. Our match against United and I was in fine form. They didn’t let me play the second half: I hadn’t yet signed deal, I kept finding the net, there were lots of rumours, as you’d expect. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I remember reading about Manchester United, standard transfer gossip. I’m not certain if it was accurate, but even if they had called, my desire was to remain at Bilbao. I feel lucky to be here.”
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At Lezama, Bilbao, the early training is about to start; after it, the quick travel to the airport and another trip to England, this time to face Newcastle in the UCL on the upcoming match. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. It’s turning out to be a tough year for the club, partly because of the requirements of their participation. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have secured just a single victory of their past eight league games and lost against Arsenal and the German side in Europe. Yet, look at the overall situation, the major occasions he’s experienced and upcoming events, and a sense of thankful reflection about him.
In the three years since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, denied at the last hurdle a domestic final by Manchester United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary surrounded by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the club’s first trophy in a long wait. Currently he stands as Athletic’s top scorer in the UCL, where they are unique and returning after absence in a decade. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he states.
The player believed it hard enough just to make the first team and he was right. The son of the one-time rival player Xabi Guruzeta and a season ticket holder at the opposition side, Gorka is a product of Antiguoko, the Donostiarra team that developed Mikel Arteta, the former star and the Bournemouth manager. His move to Athletic came at seventeen but after his top-level debut in the 2018 season, he experienced a serious knee problem, the cut, a drop in category and a return before he could earn his place, making his comeback to live the best days of the club’s history.
“You go into the academy not expecting to reach the top level but each step you advance through you’re persisting and you can notice the proximity. You get there but … you’re sent away.” He played six, nine, five, one, four and 20 minutes in half a dozen appearances between his bow and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Five, six games with them and I tear my cruciate.
“It was a huge blow but In retrospect as something positive because it forced me to alter the way I saw things. Recovering from a long-term injury is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines you didn’t have. It’s not about neglect, but I attended practice and then head home, like when you’re a kid. At Lezama, facilities are comprehensive, so do everything. Practice, prevention. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, address that. With decent ankle function, enhance it further. All those ‘silly things’: do them.
“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have crashed into players 200,000 times. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my legs are chicken legs. Thus incidents occur. Look at pictures of me now and the improvement is clear. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but there’s more to do. Peers are prepared, really ready; the same applies.”
You also have to play. He left in tears in that year, in his early twenties, joining the second tier. During his Sabadell spell in the 20-21 campaign, he got three strikes in 40 games. At Amorebieta in the second half of 2021-22, the goals started to flow. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and when eventually they need someone where you play, they might come back for you. Preparation is key. When they decided to call again, an aspiration fulfilled. The trophy success, compete continentally, and make the UCL … pfff.”
Understandably he remarks savor the moment. Especially after last year which, at times, was focused on persistence. Previously the main threat with 16 in 2023-24, he managed seven in {15 games more|additional matches|
