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Julen GuerreroFormer Spanish footballer
Date of Birth: 07.01.1974
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Julen Guerrero: A Basque Legend
- Rise to Stardom
- Loyalty to Athletic Bilbao
- Career Decline and Retirement
- International Career
- Post-Retirement
Julen Guerrero: A Basque Legend
Early Life and CareerBorn in Portugalete, near Bilbao, Julen Guerrero began his footballing journey at Athletic Bilbao's youth academy at the tender age of 8. His exceptional skills led to his promotion to the first team in 1992, where he quickly adapted and became a key player.
Rise to Stardom
In his first two seasons, Guerrero scored an impressive 28 goals, earning him recognition as the best young player by renowned newspapers Don Balón and El País. He showcased his prolific scoring ability in the 1993/94 season with a hat-trick against Albacete and a poker against Sporting Gijón. By 1994, he was widely regarded as one of Spain's top players.
Loyalty to Athletic Bilbao
Despite interest from prestigious European clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus, Guerrero remained loyal to Athletic Bilbao, signing a 12-year contract in 1995 that made him the team's highest-paid player. He became a symbol of the club's legendary "La Cantera" youth academy.
Career Decline and Retirement
Guerrero's success reached its peak in the 1997/98 season, when he helped Athletic Bilbao secure second place in La Liga and qualify for the Champions League. However, his career declined in subsequent seasons, and he was eventually benched in 2002. Despite his diminished playing time, he remained a fan favorite. Guerrero announced his retirement on July 11, 2006, after 413 appearances and 108 goals for Athletic Bilbao.
International Career
Guerrero made his Spain debut in 1993 and represented the national team at two World Cups and the 1996 European Championship. He also holds the record for appearances and goals scored for the Basque Country team.
Post-Retirement
After retiring from football, Guerrero opened a restaurant in Bilbao named after him and worked as a pundit for Eurosport. He currently lives on the Costa del Sol, where he runs a football academy for children. He also plays for the Spanish veterans team, having competed in the 2009 Legends Cup in Moscow.
