A triumph for all of Athletic

14,581 days and 1,876 official matches separate 5 May 1984 from 6 April 2024, from the victory at the Santiago Bernabéu to yesterday's unforgettable triumph at La Cartuja. The Copa eluded us for four decades despite repeated attempts...

The coveted 25th Copa is here, with a display case of honour waiting in the Athletic Club Museum, but, above all, with thousands of people looking forward to seeing it on La Gabarra with our champions, who will be remembered forever.

This is mostly a triumph for the new generations, who carried us yesterday when we needed it most. Our fans showed the world who we are with their conduct in Seville.

During all this time, several generations of Athleticzales were inspired by the Super Cups of 2015 and 2021 or by thrilling and unforgettable moments in LaLiga, the Copa or Europe, without forgetting Athletic Women's league titles.

Our competitiveness was still alive, we had lost six finals in a row, two of them in the harsh context of a global pandemic and without the support of our fans. Not just any team is capable of reaching five Copa semi-finals in a row.

All the disappointments have been made up for with this 25th Copa. The first to be won in a memorable penalty shoot-out, atoning for the painful 1977 loss to Real Betis. 

As president, and on behalf of the Board of Directors, the club's staff and all of us who make up Athletic Club, I would like to thank our Club Members and all the Athleticzales spread throughout Bilbao, Bizkaia, Euskal Herria and all corners of the world for the support received during all this time, support which has created a bond of loyalty and commitment lasting 126 years.

In good times and bad, your outstretched hand and shouts of support have always been essential to allowing us to remain faithful to a sporting policy which, as well as making us stronger in the face of difficulties, makes us unique in the world.

This acknowledgement is also goes to all the footballers who have played for Athletic during this period. Since that 5 May 1984, a total of 251 players have worn the red and white shirt.

The success of the current squad is also based on all those who have been before, whether that be teams, coaching staff, Boards of Directors or club staff. Winning a trophy is enormously difficult. But there is also enormous satisfaction and pride when it comes from doing it your own way.

Now it is time to celebrate, to express gratitude and pride for the triumph, but also to remember those who have passed on, whose memory and legacy lives on among us. Surely, wherever they are, they are celebrating Athletic's new triumph in style,with Piru Gainza's famous words resounding in their hearts: "Chavales, no sabéis lo que habéis hecho" (Lads, you don't know what you've done). 
 
Zorionak eta eskerrik asko!
 
Aupa Athletic!

Jon Uriarte
President of Athletic Club