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Raúl García: “The more difficult the challenge, the better”

Raúl García: “The more difficult the challenge, the better”

After extending his contract with Athletic Club until 2022, Raúl García expressed his intention to keep going “as long as he was up to the task of competing for this Club”

After signing a new contract extension with Athletic Club, forward Raúl García admitted he has lost none of his appetite for the game.

The 34-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal keeping him in Bilbao until June 2022 at least, although the contract also contains an option for a further year.

“We all wanted the same thing,” Raúl García said about the negotiations at a press conference on Wednesday morning. “This contract means staying at a Club that gets who I am as a person and my way of working, and that’s the biggest compliment.

“I feel the Club is confident and secure in the knowledge that I can contribute and that I’ll do everything in my power to help.

“I’m relaxed and I’m just concentrating on the day-to-day, which is what will help me continue.”

The forward put his longevity and unwaning enthusiasm for his job down to approaching every day as something new.

“Every day I get up and I come to work as if it was my first,” Raúl said. “For me every day feels like a new day, like a new experience.That’s what keeps me hooked to my work. 

“If there’s one thing I feel here, it’s that I can look anyone in the face and be honest with them.

“Anyone who knows me knows my work occupies me practically 24 hours a day. I dedicate everything I can to it because I think it’s necessary and I like it.” 

Having made almost 700 appearances in total as a professional -238 of them in the Athletic jersey- Raúl García is one of the currently active players with most matches played in LaLiga and he wants to finish his career as high up that list as possible.

“Everyone sets themselves challenges, I love doing it,” the forward added. “The more difficult, the better.

“Being on the list of players with the most games in LaLiga motivates.

“Hopefully, over the next two years I’ll be able to keep going the way I am at the moment.

“We are lucky to have great professionals by our side who allow us to be as physically fit as possible.

“I feel perfect, I want to enjoy myself and play for as long as I can.”

When asked about the transition Athletic are going through and the introduction of young lions, the no.22 said he was “delighted” youngsters are coming in and helping the squad both on and off the pitch.

“The most important thing is being good enough to play, but those of us on the inside know the importance of knowing how to help.

“There are moments when you don’t play and you have to be there to help everybody nonetheless.

“I’m delighted young people are coming through and that they’re becoming more competitive.”