Zorionak Iribar!

José Ángel Iribar Kortajarena, the player in the history of red-and-white who has played the most matches with Athletic Club, turns 76 today. From a review of his football career, it can be concluded that he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world, who won two Cups and was UEFA runner-up with Athletic, who was the undisputed international for more than a decade and also European champion in 64 with the Spanish national team. But it is not these outstanding marks or the data of any other statistic that truly make the Txopo a unique myth.

“Like Iribar there is none” because its lengthened eternal tree figure evokes, at the same time, all the admiration and all the affection of the world, and that is something quite exceptional. The fact that the most admired person is also the most beloved means that other priceless virtues have been added to an extraordinary professional career. Values that for the Athletic Club are its life and that are personified to perfection in the Txopo: simplicity, commitment, sobriety, effort, work, trust and humility.

Orain eta beti, zorionak Anjel!