Athletic Bilbao
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Who are Athletic Bilbao? History, Stats & More

Introduction:

It more or less always comes down to a few significant club names from every top football league in the world. Some may argue over it, but Athletic Bilbao is surely a historic name from La Liga.

A club with a long-standing history, culture, & memorable moments that places it at the forefront of the footballing world map.

It’s not every day that you get the chance to cover a club like Athletic Bilbao, so that’s what we will be doing today. Read on!

History Of Athletic Bilbao: Founded In 1898:

Athletic was founded in 1898. The club quickly became one of the most successful teams in Spain and has remained so ever since, winning a number of national championships as well as the Copa del Rey multiple times. 

Athletic currently plays its home games at San Mames Stadium, which is located in the Basque capital city of Bilbao.

History Of Athletic Bilbao

The stadium serves as an iconic symbol for both the city and the club, with its capacity of nearly 54 thousand making it one of Spain’s largest stadiums.

Who Was The Founder Of Athletic Bilbao?

Juan Astorquia was the founder of Athletic, a Spanish football club. He had the vision to create a team that would bring together local players from the region. In 1898, he founded the team with a group of Basque students from Gymnasium Zamacois. 

Current President Of Athletic Bilbao; Who Is Jon Uriarte?

Jon Uriarte, the recently appointed president of Athletic came at the helm of the club in June 2022, after he announced his candidacy for clubs’ elections at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Later on, he won the elections and became president with immediate effect at the end of June 2022.

Notable Players In The History Of Athletic:

Over the years, many notable players have worn the famous red and white stripes of Athletic. Some of the most iconic names include Andoni Zubizarreta, Rafael Moreno ‘Pichichi’, and Telmo Zarra.

These players have all been integral to Athletic’s success over the years and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest footballers to ever play for the club. 

Best Manager In The History Of Athletic Bilbao:

A club has a history of more than 120 years, and must have had some great managers in its dugout in its history. That’s the case of Athletic also.

Here, we have to choose one name from a long list of coaches that held the helm at a club in the last 12 decades. For that, we would have to go back to the 1920s and early 1930s.

Fred Pentland is arguably the best manager Athletic ever had. He spent two spells with the club, and brought an uplifting revolution to the Basque club, giving them their long-standing identity.

He helped the club win 4 successive Copa Del Rey titles and established Los Leones as the Spanish powerhouse during La Liga’s Inaugural seasons.

For a detailed list of trophies won by Fred, refer to the table below:

COMPETITION NAMENUMBER OF TROPHIES WON
La Liga2 Times
Copa Del Rey5 Times
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Fans & Culture Of Athletic Bilbao:

Athletic Bilbao is one of the most iconic clubs in La Liga, having won the league eight times in their long history. With a passionate and loyal fan base, it’s no surprise that Athletic has earned itself an illustrious reputation amongst football fans across the globe.

The strong sense of culture and identity that encompasses the club is something that continues to draw people to this day.

The distinctive red-and-white striped kit of Athletic has become synonymous with Spanish football, while their supporters create a unique atmosphere at San Mames Stadium whenever they take to the pitch.

The famous Basque anthem is always sung within the stadium before kick-off – such is its importance to both players and fans alike.

Achievements Of Athletic Bilbao:

They have racked up Spanish silverware in their trophy room. Los Leones have won La Liga, Copa Del Rey, And Super Copa De España too. And they have won all these trophies multiple times over the course of their long history.

Achievements Of Athletic Bilbao

Find their trophy count in the table below:

COMPETITION NAMENUMBER OF TIMES WON
La Liga8 Times
Copa Del Rey23 Times
Super Copa De España3 Times
WIKIPEDIA

All-Time Top Scorers Of Athletic Bilbao:

NAME OF PLAYERNUMBER OF GOALS SCORED
Telmo Zarra283
Aritz Aduriz172
José Panizo137
Ismael Urzaiz121
Piru Gaínza119
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All-Time Top Assist Providers Of Athletic Bilbao:

NAME OF PLAYERNUMBER OF ASSISTS
Markel Susaeta87
Iker Muniain67
Óscar De Marcos55
Aritz Aduriz50
Iñaki Williams50
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Who Has Most Appearances For Athletic Bilbao?

NAME OF PLAYERNUMBER OF APPEARANCES
Iker Muniain514
Markel Susaeta507
Andoni Iraola503
Joseba Etxeberria495
Óscar De Marcos474
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Most Expensive Transfers In The History Of Athletic Bilbao:

NAME OF PLAYERCLUB FROMCLUB TOTRANSFER SEASONTRANSFER AMOUNT
Iñigo MartínezReal SociedadAthletic Bilbao17/18€ 32 Million
Yuri BerchicheParis SGAthletic Bilbao18/19€ 24 Million
Álex BerenguerTorinoAthletic Bilbao20/21€ 12 Million
Roberto Ríos Real BetisAthletic Bilbao97/98€ 12 Million
Raúl GarcíaAtletico De MadridAthletic Bilbao15/16€ 10 Million
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Stadium Of Athletic Bilbao: San Mames:

The San Mames stadium is the home of Athletic since September 2013. It sits in the heart of Bilbao and is considered one of the most iconic stadiums in Spain.

With a capacity for 53,289 spectators, it is known for being a fortress for its team and faithful fans who come to cheer them on every game day.

Its modern facilities make it one of the best stadiums in Europe, offering an unforgettable experience to all visitors.

Stadium of Athletic Bilbao; San Mames

Sporting Rivalries Of Athletic Bilbao:

The club’s biggest rivalry is with fellow Basque club Real Sociedad, and the two teams compete in the Basque Derby. It’s an intense matchup that draws out thousands of fans from both sides. 

Aside from Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao also has a fierce rivalry with Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Both clubs have been dominant forces in La Liga for many years, which has only intensified the competition between them and Athletic.

The Basque clubs are always determined to prove themselves against their rivals, which makes for some thrilling matches. 

Conclusion: Overview of Athletic Bilbao’s Legacy

Los Leones will surely be around for decades to come, and it’s a club that has the potential to reach far greater heights. Only a matter of time before they do that, for sure.

We hope you enjoyed reading about Athletic, let us know which club we should cover next! Visit our soccer section to read more about the beautiful game. Till then, Adios friends!

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