Jon Uriarte: “We have a great present and a tremendous future”

Athletic Club made the world take notice thanks our impressive celebration with La Gabarra, with a million Zurigorri supporters propelling Ernesto Valverde's Lions along the River Nervion to Bilbao City Hall and then in an open-top bus to the Provincial Council.

That was the scene, but beyond the celebration, there was also a series of important messages.

Jon Uriarte was emphatic from the city hall's balcony: "We have a great present and a tremendous future."

Before that he expressed his "confidence in this impressive group of people, a real team, led by a top-level coach. Our fans are the best in the world. If Seville was already amazing, this was... We have the best fans in the world."

Iker Muniain congratulated his teammates and the Club, reminding everyone that the players felt a "responsibility to win this trophy and we achieved it after a 40-year wait".

He continued: "You don't know how much that La Cartuja stand and the 'Unique in the World' slogan carried us. We don't need to win to boast about this unique philosophy, we have always proudly boasted about our style.

"This trophy confirms we're on the right path. This is for the Athleticzales who are here, were at La Cartuja following us and those all over the world."

For his part, Ernesto Valverde was more succinct, but no less compelling: "We are the most fascinating club in the world and we are the best when it comes to celebrating trophies. The fans have made this something unforgettable and everlasting."

Jose Angel Iribar, who received the biggest cheers throughout the day, described the experience on the river as "indescribable". 

He added: "Next year we are coming back for La Gabarra, I'll tip my hat to these youngsters and the fans. We are the best."