Muniain moves into Athletic’s top 10 all-time appearance makers

Iker Muniain made his 430th official appearance for Athletic Club in Sunday’s LaLiga fixture against Real Valladolid at the Estadio José Zorrilla. This puts him level with Julen Guerrero at 10th place in the club’s list of all-time appearance makers.

What’s more, by reaching the figure, our current captain has set a new club record: he becomes the youngest ever footballer in Athletic’s history to have played 430 official matches.

This season Muniain could even go on to catch up with Nicanor Sagarduy ‘Canito’ (437) and Aitor Larrazabal (445). The playmaker is currently 51 appearances away from matching José María Orue‘s record and 64 off legendary striker Piru Gainza.

In fifth place is Markel Susaeta (507), while former right-back Andoni Iraola (510) is fourth. Athletic’s top-three record appearance makers are Joseba Etxeberria (514), Txetxu Rojo (541) and Jose Ángel ‘Txopo’ Iribar (614).

Born on December 19, 1992, Muniain, 27, is the youngest lion to make 430 appearances. He’s taken the record off Etxeberria, who reached the figure at 29 years, three months and 14 days old.

Susaeta in third place, the winger’s 430th match came in a 5-1 victory over UD Las Palmas on April 14, 2013, at which point he was 29 years and four months old.

Iraola, born on June 22, 1982, played his 430th match as a lion at the age of 30, the same as the rest of Athletic’s top-10 appearance makers.

Curiously enough, Iker has achieved this record in the same place where he scored his first LaLiga goal for Athletic. When he was just 16 years old, Athletic’s number.10 got off the mark for the club at the José Zorrilla back in 2009-10, his debut season.