‘Every minor detail – execute them’: Guruzeta’s journey from gurney to success with the Basque club

The debut appearance the Spanish forward competed in England, an teenage playing for the youth squad against Bundesliga youth at Wycombe’s stadium in September 2015, he hit the target. The second time he appeared in British turf, against Sunderland following that, he scored. His third outing, against Pep Guardiola’s team not long later, sure enough, he did it once more. Upon his comeback to the northwest to face United at the sports complex in the 2017 season, he scored again. An excellent finish, as well. “Actually,” he says, “it ranks among my finest in my career.” So Athletic did their duty: they substituted him.

“I got well angry,” the forward admits, and then he starts laughing. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the latter period: my contract wasn’t finalized my contract, I was scoring goals, many stories circulated, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding interest from Newcastle, but I recall seeing about Manchester United, the usual talk. It’s unclear how true it was, but even if they had called, I would have wanted to stay at the club. I’m fortunate to be here.”

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At the training ground, the Basque Country, the day’s first practice is about to start; after it, the short journey to the airport and another trip to England, now to take on the Magpies in the European elite competition on midweek. Just saying those two words brings a smile to his face. It has become a challenging campaign for Athletic, partially owing to the demands of competing at this level. Beaten in added time in the local rivalry, they have managed just one win of their past eight league games and fallen to the Gunners and the German side in European competition. Yet, take in the big picture, the big nights he has lived and upcoming events, and there’s a kind of quiet appreciation from him.

In the 36 months since he had come back to Athletic, the striker has been a final four contender in Europe, prevented from reaching a final at home by United, and has traveled on a traditional boat along the Nervión river accompanied by countless supporters after winning the Copa del Rey, the first title in a long wait. Now he is the top goal-getter in the UCL, where they are unique and debuting in ten years. “I couldn’t have pictured this,” he says.

The player believed it challenging enough just to make the first team and his assessment was correct. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the club that are now his rivals, Guruzeta is from the Antiguoko academy, the San Sebastián club that nurtured Mikel Arteta, the legendary midfielder and the tactician. He joined Athletic at seventeen but after making his senior debut in August 2018, he went through a serious knee problem, dropped, a relegation and a recall before he could finally secure an opportunity, making his comeback to experience the peak of his career.

“Entering the youth system doubting you’ll make the first team but each step you progress through you’re remaining and you can observe the approach. You get there but … you have to leave.” He featured briefly in six matches in half a dozen appearances between his first game and February 2019. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and I tear my cruciate.

“A severe disappointment but In retrospect as something positive because it forced me to alter the outlook. The rehabilitation process is difficult, but it aids growth. You develop habits previously lacking. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then go home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, you have everything, so utilize it all. Practice, prevention. Get in the gym. With hip imbalance, work on that. With decent ankle function, make it a 12 or a 14. All the minor details: do them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have been in battles countless occasions. Highly robust. Reviewing old images: my physique was slight. So what happens, happens. Current photos and the change is dramatic. Recovery revealed that. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Peers are prepared, really ready; no exceptions.”

Game time is essential. Guruzeta departed in tears in 2020, in his early twenties, moving to a lower level. With Sabadell in 2020-21, he scored three times in numerous matches. With Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “It’s a common path: transfers, releases. Should you reverse it, work, believe, and when eventually the requirement appears in your position, recall is possible. Preparation is key. When the opportunity came, it was a dream come true. Lifting the cup, compete continentally, and reach the Champions League … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Particularly after the prior campaign which, at times, was involved suffering. After being leading scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|