The Athletic captain takes the floor. He gets excited every time he remembers Gurpegui Lifting the Super Cup in 2015 and fantasizing about the possibility of raising the Cup to the sky of Seville. But it goes step by step: first it is time to finish off the task against Granada
Outside Barça, Madrid, Atlético and even the current champion Valencia … Is this Cup a historic opportunity?
Without a doubt, it is a unique opportunity for Athletic. Respecting all the rivals there are. The same as Granada is a very complicated game, we will have to suffer in many moments, but we want to be in the final. The Mirandés has already been loaded to several First and the Real is doing very good season. They are very dangerous rivals but for the four of us it is very affordable.
Athletic is getting harder to win titles. Is this the most accessible?
Can be. In the finals we have played, we met with an indestructible Barça, with that way to overwhelm the rivals. People perceive that enthusiasm for that beautiful Cup for a match, which opens more options. There is a very tough opponent and if all goes well, we will dream.
Can your goal in the first leg be definitive?
Hopefully it will mean that we have won the tie. We're going to hurt them. If we can score, better, we would open a very large door. We will try to counteract everything that comes our way.
He has the 2015 Super Cup tattooed on a lose. Have you reserved a place for the Cup?
There is always space (risas).
The image of Gurpegui raising that trophy at the Camp Nou will make him envious …
Of course! Repeating it is what every player dreams of. And more we, in our club so privileged by its philosophy and its history, to achieve that type of feats that give more value to everything. I wish dreams come true.
Are you at the best moment of the season and one of the best of your career? He was half angry when we told him that he could not find his place when playing in a band and it has been seen that his virtues stand out more …
If I'm honest, yes, I feel very comfortable. I'm going through a good time, I'm enjoying my game, trying to contribute the most to the team. For many years I have played in the band, where I have also tried to generate situations for the team, but it is clear that in the center I can create many more things, generate more danger, I am closer to the area and that means being able to make more goals.
Creativity depends almost exclusively on you and Unai López.
We have characteristics of that type, of good ball treatment of trying to generate game. But a team needs everything. That's what the technician is for, to find balance and exploit the virtues of each one.
He debuted with 16 years, the youngest to do so with Athletic … and everything that has come after. It gives vertigo!
I look back, the whole route, and everything has happened very quickly. It seems that it was yesterday when I was that 16-year-old boy who started in Athletic, a very shameless boy in my game, I still maintain it and in this way one is taking the experiences of all kinds that are increasing each player….
… until you take the reins of the captaincy. Does that burden you with responsibility?
Clear! Being a team captain, and more of this, is a huge responsibility, not only on the field but also outside. You have to keep an image. I have been fortunate to have great captains this time, which are teaching you many values, things that I put into practice today, when it comes to handling a wardrobe, and I am trying to do it in the best possible way.
He debuted with the number 27, as Yeray in his day and Victor recently. I would ask you to keep that number on top …
The day he debuted Vencedor I asked him for the number and he told me that on 27. I told him that it is the one I took. He was glad. Is special.
But despite being on the front line, do not forget its origins. When he faced the Sestao River in Copa, he had many gestures of complicity with Coscolín, his friend and former partner in the lower categories of La Txantrea.
In a sport where everything seems so exorbitant and we are tired of talking about stars, playing that type of games, in Sestao, in a humble town, it always returns you to what you have been as a young man. Finding my best friend, Pablo … life put us that party to meet. It was very special.
He arrived in Lezama with 12 years and was quite 'crazy goat'. Now he is a father with two children. Haven't you become too serious a guy?
Every moment has its circumstances. Being a father and starting a family has helped me for many things. To be very focused on my people and football, which is what sustains everything and feeds us. Thank God my children do not lack anything. It generates a high responsibility. I have been good for sports.
Have injuries made you more resistant?
Yes. Until you have fallen into them you always think they are the worst. I have learned a lot from injuries, they have helped me to get up, they make you strong, your skin becomes hard. When they come badly, it makes you vindicate yourself, stand up to all these situations and get stronger.
The non-clause was a message in the future.
I did it because it was something I felt and for sending a message to the kids who come, those who feel the club and the fans who with some way out felt betrayed. The fan feels the player as a relative and that type of exits hurt. The message I wanted to convey is that there is still that romanticism that people want and hopefully serve as an example for new generations.
Is the Selection a thorn?
It is a great challenge and a goal, so I fight and work every day in my club, which is the springboard for Luis Enrique to notice me. I have been fortunate to be many years in the U21, to live a beautiful stage, playing with great players. We were twice European champions.
His 'brother' Williams is very demanding. Mark more.
I have lived it throughout my career. At nine, goals have always been demanded, like Llorente. In other teams it is the same. The one who is a good striker, the one who is there and has chances, always ends up scoring goals and Iñaki is proving it. It has good numbers and every time it goes to more. It will continue to grow. It generates many occasions of danger and is increasingly successful from face to door. It will continue to progress, I am sure.
Aduriz is leaving … it wouldn't be bad to fire him with a title.
We all know what it means for the club. He has been an impeccable scorer in all this time. He has given a lot to the club, not just for the goals; just by having it in the field imposes a lot of respect on the rivals. His career is enviable. It is very difficult today to see a player keep up with his age and maintain such enthusiasm. We will try to supply you in the best way, as we were talking about Williams now; I am convinced that he will arrive at Aritz's numbers. It will remain an icon that we all have to learn and leave an indelible legacy.