Last Saturday, that song played over and over again throughout the day. “Iribar, Iribar, Iribar is great. There is no one like Iribar,” sung in unison everyone who attended the morning dedication of the mythical Chopo statue on the outskirts of San Mamés. And after the league game against Colchonero, the same thing happened again on a personal level in the Athletic locker room and on a public level in the stands of the stadium.

In addition to being a good goalkeeper, Iribar is also an even better human being, so he has already announced a few days ahead of time the presentation of the event planned to conclude the 125th anniversary of the club in Bilbao. He clearly stated that. What’s great about me is my athleticism. ” Like any other way to express the greatness of an organization that has survived in the jungles of the football industry with its own centuries-old philosophy.

Saturday’s day left us with many images and moments that can only be understood through the red and white keys. For example, on the promenade where the statue of Ilibal is located, all of Athletic’s living presidents appeared and posed together for posterity. It’s an image that should be repeated more often, but it’s harder to achieve than it seems. There were quite a few former managers, former Lions, former Lionesses, and former coaches.

Caparos didn’t want to miss an event with Luci, with whom he had an inseparable relationship. Manager Mane, who saved the Red and White team from relegation in the second league of the so-called “Black Biennium,” also passed by there. Pedro Mari Zabalza, who was not a Lions coach but played with him at the time, was also in attendance. Same as Vitor Arquiza and Orbais in the field of Osasuna today. Athletic goes beyond Bilbao.

Clemente, who coached with Iribar and said he could sense the birth of a new athletic champion through the stadium’s public address system, returned to coach Manu Sarabia. Years later, the two shared a wardrobe and a team. When he was a Lion, he was affectionately known as ‘Pink Leopard’ and spent many days with visions of someone wearing an Athletic shirt and playing for San Mamés. Illusion as a flag. The feeling of red and white on the surface. Another representative player on the team, Chato Nunez, is the same or a similar player.

In the match against Atlético, the intelligent reading of the match that fans of the red and white always make was already at the fore again. When Sanse missed the penalty, there was applause and unanimous shouts of encouragement. Improve morale.

Aduriz’s “Panenka” penalty, Ibye’s home goal from the outside, Manolo Delgado warming up the Lions, the athletic fans cheering for Aitor Zabaleta, Nico Williams beating Oblak…The red-white club is proud of this incident. I knew it well. The call for unity had its intended effect. What we need now is to continue it over the long term. There’s no one like Iribal, but there’s no one like Athletic either.