Unai Elgezabal’s Triumphant Return to Football with a Goal

Scoring a goal always instills confidence in a player. However, achieving this feat after being sidelined for over two months due to an injury, and doing so in one’s debut at the highest level of professional football, is even more remarkable. Such was the case for Unai Elgezabal this past Sunday.

The defender from Biscay returned to the lineup after undergoing surgery for a tear in the external meniscus of his right knee. He made his debut under the guidance of Luís Castro, scoring the first goal for Levante in their match against Athletic Club de Bilbao, which unfortunately ended in defeat.

Elgezabal, one of the captains of the Orriols-based team, played as a starter throughout the first half of the season under coach Julián Calero, as well as with the management duo of Álvaro del Moral and Vicente Iborra.

“This goal was very special for me. After a long journey, playing in the First Division, at San Mamés, with all my family here, who are also from this area, made it truly special,” the player remarked after the match.

The defender joined the Valencian club in the summer of 2024 while the team was in the Second Division, playing a crucial role in their promotion to the top tier of national football. He is under contract until June 2027.

Another player who also marked his official scoring debut was Jon Ander Olasagasti. The midfielder, who joined from Real Sociedad, netted the second goal for the Valencian team in the dying moments of the match at San Mamés.