David Zurutuza (Rochefort, 19-7-86) has just retired from football after ten seasons wearing the shirt of the Real society, with which he has played 238 league games and scored 16 goals.
How do you feel that you are leaving the Real?
Well, in very good hands, that's the first. With Imanol, who is a tremendous and very modern coach; with Aperribay, who has done a lot for this club; and with Olabe, who has very clear ideas from bottom to top. And later, I feel that Real is now much stronger, and with this generation I predict another stage full of successes for the club.
And what is the reason that leads you to leave football at the age of 34?
A year ago I had doubts to renew, and that means that the head is warning you, that you do not have that hunger as before, and you do not have the body of a 20-year-old boy, everything comes together and you have it increasingly clear.
How does it feel to leave with a chant from the fans and even a phrase 'No Zuru, no party'?
It is a way of giving me love and I really appreciate it. I have always felt like a very loved player, and I appreciate that. Sure there are people who don't love me; but in general I have felt a lot of support, even off the field, on the street. That has given me the strength to continue and I'm going home for that too.
But you have also had to notice Anoeta's run run because of his style of play, always holding the ball so long to give the precise pass …
(Smile) Well, I didn't feel it, really. He was focused on the game and what he was doing, he didn't have time to listen to that. It was my way of understanding football, I wanted to leave my teammate in the best place to score, because the closer you play to the area, the less time the striker has to think and execute.
303 games for Real, but the feeling that he could have played more than 400 games. How many laps have you blamed injuries for this?
Ya, I know what you say. But I haven't thought about it. Injuries have been part of my football life and you don't know how far I would have gone without them. You also have to accept that it is part of the game. There is no player who has not been injured. And more and more is being played to the limit. It is true that I have been injured more than the average, I do not know if it is because of the way I play. But it has been so. It wouldn't take anything away from my career.
And did Athletic never intend to sign him?
No, there was no option. There was no attempt on my part to go. Nothing ever came to me from Athletic.
What do you think about the Antiguoko signing ten years as an Athletic partner?
It's a shame, because it's a local club with people from here, who I suppose will have the dream of being successful at La Real. But they have chosen so, and their reasons will have.