When Joseba Etxeberria played for free in his last year at Athletic

E In recent times it is heard a lot that the The world of soccer is losing its romanticism to become a business, something that is commented on in reference to clubs, coaches and footballers. Entities that let emblems of their history go by not paying them more or players who leave the club of their lives for solely economic reasons are some of the examples that have been seen. One of the few who can boast in this regard is Joseba Etxeberria, one of the legends of Athletic.

The “Rooster” retired in the club of his life after playing for free during his last campaign in it. That decision was formalized in October 2008, after announcing his intention to hang up his boots in 2010 at the age of 33 . In this renewal, Etxeberria agreed Fernando García Macua , president of Athletic from 2007 to 2011, who would receive the salary corresponding to the 2008/2009 academic year, but that in the next one (2009/2010) would not receive money either by token or by premiums . At that time, the agreement between the Association of Professional Soccer Players (AFE) and the Liga de Professional Football (LFP) did not allow free play and established a minimum wage of 105,000 euros . An amount that Athletic would pay the player and that he would donate to the club’s foundation.

“ My contract ended this season and my illusion was to play fifteen years at Athletic , which is quite a For this reason, my last year as a professional I wanted to do it free of charge in gratitude to all these years, for the behavior that the club has had towards me and for the affection that so many people have had. Thanks I have to give to the entire institution and to all the people who are part of this great club that is Athletic “he explained Etxeberria after renovating in 2008. “It is a gesture that I make to return all that affection that I have received,” he added. With that last year, the Gipuzkoan ended his career with 514 games and 104 goals spread over 15 seasons as an Athletic footballer.

A story that is remembered every time an emblematic player does not renew with the club in which he has been important. The last example has been that of Leo Messi . In fact, Joan Laporta has stated that he expected the Argentine to do like Etxeberria at the time. “I hoped there would be a change of course and say free play, but we cannot think that a player of that height would do that” commented the president of Barcelona . What is certain is that the case of Joseba Etxeberria is unique in football in recent years.