As Athletic Bilbao prepare for a crucial Champions League encounter against Newcastle United, the spotlight falls on striker Gorka Guruzeta, whose journey back to the pinnacle of European football has been anything but straightforward.
The Basque forward’s early career hinted at a natural affinity for English soil, having found the net in each of his first four appearances on it during his younger years. Yet his path to establishing himself at his boyhood club was derailed by a serious knee injury shortly after his senior debut, an event that forced a period of reflection and recalibration.
“Suffering a long-term injury changes your perspective,” Guruzeta reflects. “You realize that the work doesn’t end when training does. It’s about the extra details—strengthening, prevention, addressing imbalances. Those so-called ‘silly things’ become essential.”
His road back involved a challenging loan spell in Spain’s second tier, where goals were scarce before his form eventually ignited at Amorebieta. That resurgence paved the way for a emotional return to Bilbao, where he has since become integral to the team’s recent successes, including a historic Copa del Rey triumph that ended a 40-year trophy drought.
Now, as Athletic’s leading scorer in their long-awaited return to the Champions League, Guruzeta embodies a side defined by its unique identity and resilience. The club’s famed policy of fielding only Basque players is both a point of pride and a competitive challenge, narrowing the talent pool but forging a distinct collective spirit.
This season has presented difficulties, with a demanding schedule contributing to a patchy run of domestic form. A last-gasp defeat in the Basque derby was a recent setback, while losses to European heavyweights Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund underscored the level of competition. However, a vital 3-1 victory over Qarabag, sealed by a Guruzeta brace, restored belief at a critical moment.
“Starting a match by conceding immediately is the worst scenario,” he admits. “But we showed the character we needed. That win lifted a weight, reminded us we can compete here and, above all, that we should enjoy being on this stage.”
The striker also speaks candidly about playing through a persistent foot injury last season, a decision he now views as a learning experience about the balance between personal sacrifice and team necessity.
As Bilbao look ahead to fixtures against Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain, Guruzeta’s story mirrors that of his club: one of patience, unique challenges, and hard-earned rewards. From the treatment table to leading the line in Europe’s premier competition, his career arc is a testament to perseverance, ready for its next chapter on an English stage once more.