‘All those silly things – do them’: The striker’s journey from injury table to goals with the Basque club

Whenhe first time the Spanish forward played in England, an young appearing for Athletic Bilbao B against Borussia Mönchengladbach Under-23s at the English ground in September 2015, he hit the target. On his next visit he appeared in England, against Sunderland following that, he netted. Another occasion, against Pep Guardiola’s team soon after, well, he did it once more. When he returned to the northwest to face United at the sports complex in that year, he scored again. It was a superb volley, also. “Truly,” he says, “it’s one of the best goals in my career.” Thus the club did their duty: they substituted him.

“I was furious,” the forward reveals, before breaking into laughter. “I’m sure there’s footage. We traveled to face United and I performed well. They kept me out of the second half: I hadn’t yet signed agreement, I was scoring goals, speculation was rife, you know how it is. I’m unsure regarding Newcastle being interested, but I recall seeing about Man United, the typical thing. I have no idea the validity, but even if they had called, I’d have chosen to stay at the club. I feel lucky to be here.”

La Real relieve strain with extraordinary derby triumph

At the facility, the Basque Country, the morning session is about to start; following that, the quick travel to the airport and a further journey to Britain, on this occasion to face Newcastle in the European elite competition on Wednesday. Mentioning that phrase brings a smile to his face. This is proving a challenging campaign for the team, partly because of the pressures of competing at this level. Losing in stoppage time in the local rivalry, they have managed just one win of their last eight matches and lost against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the continental stage. However, look at the overall situation, the memorable evenings and those that lie ahead, and he feels a calm gratitude about him.

In the 36 months since he had returned to the club, Gorka has been a final four contender in Europe, stopped at the gates a final at home by United, and has ridden an historic vessel up the Nervión estuary accompanied by countless supporters after securing the Spanish cup, the first title in 40 years. Currently he stands as the club’s leading marksman in the European competition, where they are distinctive and returning after absence in a long period. “I never imagined this,” he says.

He considered it difficult enough just to make the first team and he was right. As the child of the ex-La Real star Xabi Guruzeta and a regular attendee at the team he now opposes, the forward is from the Antiguoko academy, the Donostiarra team that produced the coach, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. He joined Athletic at 17 but after his first-team bow in that summer, he suffered a ACL injury, dropped, a drop in category and a return before he could truly get a chance, returning at 26 to experience the peak of his career.

“Joining the setup not expecting to reach the senior squad but each step you go through you’re persisting and you can see it getting closer. You make it and … departure is necessary.” He had limited game time in six games between his debut and that period. “And then I go back down to the filial [Bilbao Athletic, the Under-23s]. Several appearances with them and my knee gave way.

“A massive setback but In retrospect as something positive because it shifted the perspective. The rehabilitation process is challenging, but it aids growth. You cultivate routines new to you. Previously I was casual, but I would go to training and then return home, typical youth behavior. At the complex, all resources are available, so utilize it all. Training, prehab. Strength training. If your hips aren’t balanced, work on that. With decent ankle function, improve it more. Every small aspect: perform them.

“Among professionals you’re going to crash into players who have experienced contact countless occasions. Highly robust. Seeing previous pictures: my physique was slight. Thus incidents occur. Present-day images and the change is dramatic. The setback taught me. Training finishes, but further effort is needed. Everyone else is ready, really ready; you have to be too.”

Minutes are crucial. He left in tears in 2020, at 23 years old, joining the second tier. With Sabadell in that season, he got three strikes in numerous matches. At Amorebieta in the latter part of the season, the he found his form. “Players go through it: loans, terminated contracts. With a turnaround, dedication, confidence, and should the time come they need someone for your role, a return could happen. You have to be ready. When the opportunity came, a fantasy realized. The trophy success, compete continentally, and qualify for Europe’s top tier … pfff.”

Understandably he remarks this is to be enjoyed. Especially after last year which, at times, was involved suffering. From top scorer with 16 in 2023-24, last season he got seven in {15 games more|additional matches|