“A jewel with a full crown”, was an expression of Ernesto Valverde about Balenziaga in 2016 after a match played by the lions in Getafe. That day, the rojiblanco coach praised his player’s defensive intensity and his contribution to the attack (he had two assists in consecutive goals) That day, to Iñaki Williams.
Valverde and Balenziaga met again this season and the truth is that Txingurri’s confidence in Zumarraga’s man is low, if not zero. The numbers sing: he played the second half of the rojiblanco disaster at Montilivi and the last minutes of the cup tie against Eldense, the lions won 1-6. I think that says it all, or almost all.
Last Sunday he was close to leaving the field due to a possible injury to Yuri. He warmed up for a few minutes, waiting to see how Zarautz’s progressed. In the end it came to nothing, Berchiche finished the game and Balenziaga’s participation continued as it was. And nothing seems to change. Because even Lekue played on the left side before him.
I don’t dare to say that this is Balenziaga’s last season at Athletic because when he did it more or less a year ago, Zumarraga’s renewal was announced. I don’t think that will be the case either, although the injury to Imanol García de Albeniz, and unfortunately, Yuri’s recent injuries (although he has been more regular in that sense) might suggest that his continuation will be considered. I think his phase as a lion should have ended some time ago. By this we should not despise less, on the contrary.
i respect
The numbers and performances this player has given for Athletic are there. There were 12 seasons, over 300 games, and that’s no coincidence. And this is what I want to make clear about the figure of this player: respect.
Because of the hardships and comforts that he is, no one gave him anything and he became a player in teams that brought joy to the red and white parish, as in the last two titles won by this club: the Super Cups. Both in 2014-2105, in his two games against Barcelona, and in 2021 in La Cartuja, also against the Catalan team; Balenziaga started. In all three games. He will have the honor of scoring two goals: one in Liga against Sevilla, a great goal, by the way. Another in the Europa League against APOEL with a shot that hit two players from the Cypriot team before going in.
Balenziaga is a kind, helpful, respectful person, never one word above another. This will not change his goodbye either. It is clear that this is not the farewell to Gurpegi, Aduriz, Iraola or Susaeta. We have talked about the legends of the club, but I wish Zumarraga’s farewell from Athletic was not just another. I do not know.
It’s going to be complicated, first because it’s not in the spotlight, Balenziaga. It looks like these are the last months of what has been the rojiblanco club’s left wing for many seasons; but I’m sure Athletic will work to have a particular agur to match their numbers. It wouldn’t be a thing on any other Thursday.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
