Athletic Club had no game on Monday night, but they did see over 30,000 fans flock to San Mames to see one man – Iker Muniain. The 32-year-old, who recently announced his exit from Athletic, let all of the tears out in his official homage from the club, ending two decades of Muniain at the club.
Muniain joined when he was 11 years old, and was the youngest player to make his debut for Athletic, coming on at just 16 years of age. He would then go on to captain the side, winning two Supercups, but losing out in four painful Copa del Rey final defeats. A pain that he helped bring to an end, scoring his penalty against Real Mallorca at La Cartuja to lift the Copa himself.
“I am very excited, thank you for joining me. It is very difficult to explain what I feel, I am privileged to have experienced what I have experienced. That for 15 years several generations have accompanied me with the same athletic feeling. Eskerrik Asko! [Thank you in Basque]”
During the homage, various figures and managers from the past, including Joaquin Caparros who gave him his debut, Marcelino Garcia Toral and Gaizka Garitano, his last two coaches, and Athletic legend Jose ‘El Txopo’ Iribar had kind words for Muniain. He was still processing their victory in the Copa del Rey himself.
“When I go to bed I still dream that I am in La Gabarra. It was amazing. We were able to show the world how great Athletic is,” Relevo recounted.
“If at some point you want me here, I will be here the next day.”
Muniain’s next destination is not yet clear, but he is expected to leave Europe for a new experience, with River Plate and Major League Soccer mentioned as potential destinations but little more. One thing is for certain, not many players could bring 30,000 fans out on a Monday night, and San Mames will not be the same without him.
The post More than 30,000 fans turn out for tearful farewell to Athletic Club captain Iker Muniain appeared first on Football España.
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