Iker Muniain
Athletic Bilbao legend and captain who lifted the Copa del Rey in 2024.
Iker Muniain Goñi (born 19 December 1992) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played mainly as a winger but also as a forward. He began his career with Athletic Bilbao, debuting aged 16 in 2009 as their youngest player in a competitive match. He helped the team reach the final of the UEFA Europa League in 2012 and played in Copa del Rey finals in 2012, 2020 and 2021, but finished on the losing side each time. He took part in 560 games for the club while scoring 76 goals, and lifted the Spanish Cup as captain in 2024 a few months before leaving to end a 19-year association. Following his departure, he joined San Lorenzo of Argentina.
- Role
- Winger / Forward
- Affiliation
- Athletic Bilbao (19 years), San Lorenzo
- Status
- Former Professional
- Key Trait
- Youngest debutant and scorer for Athletic in Europe/La Liga
- Historic Milestone
- 560 appearances, 76 goals, Captain of 2024 Copa del Rey winners
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Muniain made 59 appearances for Spain at youth level, winning the European Under-21 Championship in 2011 and 2013. He also featured at the 2012 Olympics, in the same year as his senior Spain debut. He was selected again in 2019, gaining a second international cap seven years after the first.
In Their Own Story
The 2010s saw Muniain cement his status as an undisputed starter under Joaquín Caparrós. On 17 April 2011, he scored a late winner against his hometown rivals CA Osasuna, though a controversial celebration hand gesture led to a temporary suspension that was later lifted. He responded by scoring in the derby against Real Sociedad. In 2013, he delivered a brace against RC Celta de Vigo on his 21st birthday and scored the sole goal handing FC Barcelona their first league loss of the season at the new San Mamés. However, injuries struck hard; an ACL tear to his left knee in April 2015 sidelined him for months, causing him to miss cup finals. He returned in December 2015 only to suffer a second ACL injury to his right knee on 28 September 2017 against FC Zorya Luhansk. After returning in April 2018, he signed a new deal in November 2018 until 2024, explicitly rejecting a buyout clause to stay 'hand in hand with Athletic.' Appointed captain after 2019 departures, he reached the 500-game milestone in 2022 and surpassed Txetxu Rojo's outfield appearance record on 30 September 2023.
Reader's Guide
Muniain was a product of Athletic Bilbao's youth ranks after joining at the age of 12. He made his first-team debut on 30 July 2009 in a UEFA Europa League qualifier, becoming the youngest player in 94 years to wear Athletic's shirt in an official game at 16 years, 7 months and 11 days old. He scored his first goal a week later. He became the youngest player to score in a first division match on 4 October 2009. He suffered two serious anterior cruciate ligament injuries (left knee in April 2015, right knee in September 2017). He was appointed club captain in summer 2019. He made his 500th appearance for Athletic on the first matchday of 2022–23.
Did You Know?
- Muniain became the youngest player to score in a La Liga match at 16 years and 289 days.
- He scored on his debut for Athletic Bilbao's reserve team at age 16 years and 16 days.
- He was the youngest Athletic player to appear in a European match.
- His new contract in November 2018 did not include a buyout clause.
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