Iker Muniain
Iker Muniain in June 2011
Iker Muniain Goñi ( iker Muniain goɲi; * December 19, 1992 in Pamplona, Navarre ) is a Spanish footballer who plays for the Spanish Primera División in at Athletic Bilbao. He is considered one of the greatest talents that ever stood in Bilbao under contract.
Club career
Like so many Athletic players born in Pamplona, Muniain never played for his hometown club CA Osasuna, but for the small UDC Chantrea, from the autonomous region of Navarra. Since Navarra is a traditional Basque territory, remained his great talent scouts from Athletic Bilbao, which are omnipresent in the Basque Country due to the self-imposed consistent transfer policies, not hidden for long.
In 2005 he then signed his first contract in Bilbao, which was followed by a climb that has no equal. In record time, he went through all the youth teams of the " Rojoblancos " and became the largest rough diamond of the association. This was also the coach of the first team, Joaquín Caparrós not hidden, which got me exercising him at the age of 14 years with the first team.
In February 2008, he was then in a friendly against SDA Amorebieta his first appearance for the senior team of Athletic. In 2009 he found the entry in the B - team of Athletic, for whom he was able to record in 14 season 2 Torerfolge inserts.
In the season 2009/10 the final recording took place in the senior squad, which brought in a row a few milestones for club and player with it.
- On 30 July 2009 he arrived in the Europa League qualifier against Young Boys Bern in the 59th minute as substitute players for Gaizka Toquero into play. This mission made him 16 years 7 months and 11 days became the youngest player used in an official game of Bilbao.
- A week later, he scored in the second leg against the Swiss a goal. This goal made him the youngest scorer in a competitive game for Bilbao.
- On 30 August 2009 his professional debut in the Primera División was 1-0 against Espanyol. Again, he was promoted by his commitment to the youngest player ever allowed to wear the shirt of Athletic in the Premier League.
- On October 4, 2009, he was with his goal in the 77 minutes at 2-2 in league play against Real Valladolid youngest scorer in the history of La Liga .. This title but he was taken on August 18, 2012, when the Cameroonian Fabrice Olinga 16 years and 98 days, in a 1-0 home win against Celta Vigo FC Malaga the winning goal marked.
Since then, the hype around Muniain in the Basque country knows no bounds, which he still reinforced with a strong performance in the Euro League match against FK Austria Wien. Muniain scored a goal is scored and put his opponent Markus Suttner by repeated demonstrations in such a way that this could be carried away to a rude foul with consequence of a red card.
In December 2009, the offensive player extended his contract until 2015. Minimum His transfer fee was set at that time to 36 to 45 million euros.
National
With the Spanish U -17 national team, he participated in the 2009 European Championship in Germany in part. However, the team around Muniain and Marc Muniesa disappointed in the tournament and already retired from in the first round. With the Spanish U -21 national team, he was at the 2011 European Championships in Denmark European champions, where you could prevail 2-0 against Switzerland.
On 29 February 2012, Muniain made his debut in a friendly against Venezuela in the senior team. He came on in the 75th minute Cesc Fàbregas for.
Achievements
National
- U-21 European Championship: 2011, 2013
Association
- Reaching the final of the UEFA Europa League with Athletic Bilbao: 2012
- Finals of the Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao: 2012
Others
Due to its visual similarity to the fictional Bart Simpson he is called by the fans and his fellow players "Bart Simpson".
Nicknamed the " Basque Messi " he received from the Basque fans and media because of the similar body type, as well as the quick -footed style of play, as the Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.