{"id":24160,"date":"2026-06-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanmames.athletic-club.eus\/?p=24160"},"modified":"2026-06-15T13:37:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T11:37:49","slug":"inigo-lekue-career-one-club-man-athletic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanmames.athletic-club.eus\/en\/blog\/inigo-lekue-career-one-club-man-athletic\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u00f1igo Lekue: career and highlights of a One Club Man"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lezama’s philosophy is not only fuelled by major international stars or historic goalscorers; it is sustained by the blind commitment, the silent work and the loyalty of footballers who understand that wearing the red and white shirt is the greatest honour of their lives. I\u00f1igo Lekue<\/strong> is the perfect reflection of this feeling of belonging.\u00a0After announcing that he would hang up his boots at the end of the 2025\/2026 season, the Cathedral bid farewell to I\u00f1igo Lekue, an exemplary player<\/strong> who has left having fulfilled all of his obligations, defending a single badge in the elite. His figure is rightfully included in the Olympus of San Mames as an authentic One Club Man<\/strong>, representing the values of humbleness, versatility and sacrifice that define the very essence <\/strong>of Athletic Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Lezama facilities to a dream debut against Barcelona <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In order to understand the career of this player that has risen up the youth ranks, we must go back to his first steps in Danok Bat and his subsequent progression in the ranks of Basconia and Bilbao Athletic. His development in the youth ranks was key to moulding a physically gifted player with tactical maturity that is unbecoming of his age.\u00a0 It was under the management of Ernesto Valverde<\/strong> that Lekue made the final leap to the first team. The manager placed his trust in his freshness right away, leading to a legendary debut in the 2015 Spanish Super Cup against FC Barcelona. That night, a 22-year-old from Bilbao unabashedly stepped out onto the San Mames pitch to shut down the Barcelona stars and certify a historic title that ended a decades-long drought in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From that moment on, Lekue stood out at Athletic Club for his reliability and his ability to adapt to different positions: right back, left back and more forward roles, always to serve the team.If you want to relive his best runs down the flank, his timely marking and his most applauded goals in the Cathedral, enjoy the video with the best of I\u00f1igo Lekue at Athletic Club<\/strong><\/a>, a summary of his absolute dedication throughout his 281 official matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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