Iker Muniain
Encyclopedia
Iker Muniain Goñi is a Spanish
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
in the Spanish first division
, mainly as a winger.
giants Athletic Bilbao
's youth ranks, Muniain made his first team debut on 30 July 2009, in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match against BSC Young Boys
. He entered the field as a 59th minute substitute for Gaizka Toquero, in an eventual 0–1 home defeat, thus becoming the youngest player ever to wear Athletic's shirt in an official game, at 16 years, 7 months and 11 days old.
One week later, Muniain scored his first goal for the club, in the return match in Switzerland
. Athletic won 2–1, and qualified for the playoff rounds. In this match, he again entered the club's record books, as the youngest ever player to score a goal (16 years, 7 months and 18 days) in an official match.
On 30 August 2009, another record, as Muniain appeared (and started) in the 1–0 home win against RCD Espanyol
(2009–10
's opener), becoming the youngest player to have donned the club's shirt in La Liga
; two weeks later, he scored again in European competition, 3–0 at home against FK Austria Wien
, after a good team move involving Andoni Iraola
and veteran Joseba Etxeberria
.
Muniain became the youngest player to score in a first division match, as he netted in a 2–2 draw at Real Valladolid
on 4 October 2009, aged only 16 years and 289 days.
On 1 December 2009, Muniain signed his first professional contract with Athletic, running until June 2015. On the 6th, after nearly one month out due to injury, he returned to action, scoring as a 51st minute substitute to give Athletic the lead, albeit in a 1–2 loss to Valencia CF
. He set up both goals in Athletic's next game, a 2–1 away win at Real Zaragoza
, and finished his first senior season with 35 official appearances, netting six goals.
Muniain was an undisputed starter for Athletic in 2010–11
, featuring as a left winger for the Joaquín Caparrós
-led side. On 17 April 2011, he scored a last-minute goal
in a 2–1 away win against hometown club CA Osasuna
, helping his team come from behind. He was initially booked for taking his hand to his ear during his celebrations, which meant a suspension for his fifth yellow card of the season, but it was later lifted; being able to take part in the following matchday, the derby
against Real Sociedad
, he netted another, in a 2–1 home success.
Spain U19
Spain U17
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in the Spanish first division
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, mainly as a winger.
Club career
A product of BasqueBasque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
giants Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
's youth ranks, Muniain made his first team debut on 30 July 2009, in a UEFA Europa League qualifying match against BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
. He entered the field as a 59th minute substitute for Gaizka Toquero, in an eventual 0–1 home defeat, thus becoming the youngest player ever to wear Athletic's shirt in an official game, at 16 years, 7 months and 11 days old.
One week later, Muniain scored his first goal for the club, in the return match in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Athletic won 2–1, and qualified for the playoff rounds. In this match, he again entered the club's record books, as the youngest ever player to score a goal (16 years, 7 months and 18 days) in an official match.
On 30 August 2009, another record, as Muniain appeared (and started) in the 1–0 home win against RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
(2009–10
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
's opener), becoming the youngest player to have donned the club's shirt in La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
; two weeks later, he scored again in European competition, 3–0 at home against FK Austria Wien
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
, after a good team move involving Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola Sagarna is a Spanish footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as a defender or midfielder....
and veteran Joseba Etxeberria
Joseba Etxeberría
Joseba Andoni Etxeberria Lizardi is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a winger.After starting his professional career at only 17, with Real Sociedad, he quickly switched to Basque neighbours Athletic de Bilbao, going on to spend the rest of his extensive career there.Exteberria...
.
Muniain became the youngest player to score in a first division match, as he netted in a 2–2 draw at Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
on 4 October 2009, aged only 16 years and 289 days.
On 1 December 2009, Muniain signed his first professional contract with Athletic, running until June 2015. On the 6th, after nearly one month out due to injury, he returned to action, scoring as a 51st minute substitute to give Athletic the lead, albeit in a 1–2 loss to Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. He set up both goals in Athletic's next game, a 2–1 away win at Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza, S.A.D. is a Spanish association football team from Zaragoza in Spain. Founded on 18 March 1932, Real Zaragoza have spent the majority of their 78 year history in the Spanish top-flight. Real Zaragoza are Spain's 9th highest ranked team in overall league points...
, and finished his first senior season with 35 official appearances, netting six goals.
Muniain was an undisputed starter for Athletic in 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, featuring as a left winger for the Joaquín Caparrós
Joaquín Caparrós
Joaquín de Jesús Caparrós Camino is a Spanish football coach, currently in charge of RCD Mallorca.-Football career:Caparrós was born in Utrera, Province of Seville, Andalusia. After an obscure career as a player, he started coaching in his mid-20's, his first club being amateurs San José Obrero CF...
-led side. On 17 April 2011, he scored a last-minute goal
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
in a 2–1 away win against hometown club CA Osasuna
CA Osasuna
Club Atlético Osasuna, known as Osasuna, is a Spanish football team based in Iruñea-Pamplona, in the autonomous community of Navarre.Founded in 1920, it currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at the 19,553-capacity Estadio Reyno de Navarra...
, helping his team come from behind. He was initially booked for taking his hand to his ear during his celebrations, which meant a suspension for his fifth yellow card of the season, but it was later lifted; being able to take part in the following matchday, the derby
Local derby
In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby means a sporting fixture between two, generally local, rivals, particularly in association football...
against Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, he netted another, in a 2–1 home success.
Club statistics
As of 6 November 2011| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bilbao Athletic Bilbao Athletic Bilbao Athletic is a Spanish football club based in Bilbao, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country... |
2008–09 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||
| 13 | 1 | ||||||||||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Segunda División B The 2009–10 Segunda División B season was the 79th since its establishment. The first matches of the season were played on 29 August 2009, and the season ended on 20 June 2010 with the promotion play-off finals.- Group 1:... |
6 | 2 | |||||||||
| 6 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Total | 19 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 19 | 3 | |
| Athletic Bilbao Athletic Bilbao Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions... |
2009–10 2009–10 La Liga - Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|... |
26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 6 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 La Liga The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División... |
35 | 5 | 3 | 0 | |||||||
| 38 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 2011–12 2011–12 La Liga The 2011–12 La Liga season is the 81st since its establishment. Barcelona are the defending champions, having won their 21st La Liga title in the previous season for the third time in a row. The campaign began on 27 August 2011, and will end on 13 May 2012... |
11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| 16 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Total | 72 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 14 | |
| Career totals | 91 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 17 | |
Honours
Spain U21- UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe European Under-21 Football Championship is a football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. It is held every two years. The competition has existed in its current form since 1978. It was preceded by the Under 23 Challenge Cup which ran from 1967 to 1970...
: 20112011 UEFA European Under-21 Football ChampionshipUEFA U-21 Championship 2011 was the 18th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Denmark between 11 and 25 June 2011....
Spain U19
- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: Runners-up 20102010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
Spain U17
- FIFA U-17 World CupFIFA U-17 World CupThe FIFA U-17 World Cup, founded as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, later changed to the FIFA U-17 World Championship and known by its current name since 2007, is the world championship of association football for male players under the age of 17 organized by Fédération Internationale de Football...
: Third place 20092009 FIFA U-17 World CupThe 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup was the thirteenth tournament of the FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Nigeria from October 24 to November 15, 2009.The tournament was won by Switzerland, beating 1-0 the host team, Nigeria...