Born, Bred, Basque: The Athletic Club Story | Ranks FC x New Balance Football

In the heart of Bilbao lies San Mames, the heart of Athletic Club. It is an institution known throughout the world for their commitment to their local region, their pride in the team being made up of their own Basque countrymen and their consistency of excellence despite their players all being from such a small region. Alongside our partners at New Balance Football, we went to Bilbao to talk to those who understand the club better than any other, the people within it, and understand Athletic from the inside out. Born, Bred, Basque - this is the Athletic Club story.

[@andrewfield8562]

Love Bilbao from your Newcastle brothers ⚫⚪🤝🔴⚪

[@asiersanz8941]

We still remember you, my friend! ❤

[@31Antakya31]

I am from Germany,and I love Athletic forever.This Club is unique,and one thing is for sure : If 11 basque players challenging Real and Barca year for year...that's our trophy,that's our pride ! Aupa Athletic ❗️

[@josipvrkic8947]

I am from Croatia and first time I went to San Mames was before 24 years in the La Liga match Athletic - Oviedo. My local team in Croatia is Hajduk Split and my another team is Athletic. Both clubs are pure emotion which represent their region and people. Please keep going in same manner with local players. All the best from Croatia. GORA EUSKADI

[@victormanuelgarcia8006]

It's my lifelong team. I was born in Barcelona but my blood is red and white. I'm from ATHLETIC because of its club philosophy. It only plays with home players and that makes it a CLUB with more legend and honor AUPA ATHLETIC!!! 🦁🔝💪

[@Wad0rf0]

Yo igual perquè mi padre es de Bilbao

[@andyallom4357]

Club are my Spanish team and I never miss a match on TV. My son was lucky enough to attend San Mames during his European travels. And I was at St.James Park in the summer and more excited to see Athletic Club than my beloved Newcastle United. Howay the Lads. Viva Los Leones ❤️ ⚽️

[@RanksFC]

The Newcastle-Athletic bond is such a beautiful story, it could have its own documentary! We met a bunch of Celtic fans on matchday as well, who told us about a very similar relationship with the green and white of Glasgow - Athletic seem to have a knack for building these relationships, and you can see why!

[@paulmcdonough1093]

nufc are buying the titles now all oil money fake and not doing it the real way as a everton fan i know that

[@andrewfield8562]

@@paulmcdonough1093 yeah because the 600 million of usmanovs money that you wasted was clean as a whistle 😂😂 enjoy the championship

[@MrZapadors]

We have a special affection for Newcastle, we are sister clubs. Thank you

[@andrewfield8562]

@@MrZapadors I'm a Newcastle and Bilbao fan much love ⚫⚪🔴⚪

[@abelalonso7188]

Great job!!! Athletic Club is unique un the world. 🇦🇹🇦🇹 Aupa Athletic!!! 🇦🇹🇦🇹

[@javierdesande9620]

Im not much into football, but I’m form Bilbao. I can only thank you for making this video and thank everyone who is commenting good thing about the club. We are a huge family, no matter if you like football or not, if you are from Bilbao you have the teams T-shirt. Its not only about football, its an identity and a demonstration of what can be done just by beeing true to your beliefs. We manage to keep up with the other teams just with our locals, its something that people dont really understand.

[@AmperRamone]

True is the link between the club and the community due to all those values , however , it is important to remark that also a big number of fans are spreaded all over Spain and also the planet sharing the same link and union with the club and team but away from San Mames, in my case born and bred in Madrid but Athletitzale as any other.Aupa Athletic!

[@marksoreilly94]

The best example of a club who prioritises genuinely feeling like a home team for the fans. Basically a national team standing against all the rich oil barons ruining football

[@aiertxuu5310]

Well, the Club belongs to the fans, players are also fans...Perfection!

[@aadityavaru5677]

Get job guys!!! Brilliant work!!! I am a Milan fan but have started to absolutely adore athletic club because of you guys!! Thank you soo much

[@tigercap100]

What if a US team said "we only have players from our area". They'd be called racists or bigots

[@lukeshore1]

This is a great story of a special team. Well produced by Ranks FC!

[@RanksFC]

Thank you Luke!

[@tigercap100]

What if a US team said "we only have players from our area". They'd be called racists or bigots

[@ig38428]

@@tigercap100 isn't it the same as a national team only having players from its country (with naturalization exceptions of course)?

[@edurvevtx7319]

@@tigercap100 In USA are racists, not by place, but by "colour of skin" .

[@tigercap100]

@@ig38428 no. All national teams are that. I can't imagine a US "club" team like major league baseball being able to say "US born players only".

[@blinkMATIC]

Thank you for showcasing our club in such a brilliant way! Goazeeeen!

[@maegan22my]

This was absolutely wonderful 👏🏼

[@RanksFC]

Glad you liked it!

[@AustinTaciousKC]

Excellent from start to finish, I didn't know Athletic only played Basque players

[@RanksFC]

It's amazing that they are so competitive, consistently, despite this ethos!

[@javiergomara1241]

Not true, they also play french, “riojanos” and mosty “navarros”

[@asiersanz8941]

@@javiergomara1241 It's not so difficult to understand. Euskal Herria/Basque Country, 7 territories, 3 ruled by France (Lapurdi, Baxe Nafarroa and Zuberoa) and 4 ruled by Spain (Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Araba, Nafarroa). The people from Rioja can't play unless they've been raised as players in basque teams. Easy, isn't it?

[@javiergomara1241]

@@asiersanz8941 athletic’s philosophy is pretty wide and flexible. Players coming from the “diaspora” and those with basque antecesors can also play… everyone can play and for me there is no reason to be proud about. In the past, it was said that even Iker Casillas could play…

[@asiersanz8941]

@@javiergomara1241 Not at all. The people.descending from the basque diaspora can't play and it is one of the hottest debate we do have. I think they should play. Your other words are not worth an anser, typical statement of an Athletic hater, so fnnuy the comment about Iker Casillas. This club is unique, and then you do have the others. That means that stars like Messi can play wherever they want, oh stop! Wherever? NO! NOT IN ATHLETIC CLUB BECAUSE IT IS BASQUE! That's the main reason to film this documentaruy

[@chandan3137]

So brilliantly shot, fantastic storytelling - more like this please 🤩

[@RanksFC]

Oh, wouldn't we love to!

[@tigercap100]

What if a US team said "we only have players from our area". They'd be called racists or bigots

[@_PanchoVilla]

Mexican heart; Basque blood. It's what dreams are made of.

[@KLETwave]

And free Palestine brother 😊

[@oscarmarroq1]

Love it boys, being Basque and a huge Athletic supporter this was awesome…also went to uni here in the US with Amaia, I was on the men’s team so would cross paths with her often, great to see her interviewed!

[@jaydenskuse3747]

Prince, Guru and God, fantastic job! I don’t think people understand how insane it is for Bilbao to constantly compete at the top when you can only use your own. Truly remarkable Well put together, I can’t wait for the next one 😉

[@edurvevtx7319]

Insane? I think it is very good and we are proud of it. Insane is the big business of football , that is not a sport but other things.

[@mikelgonzalez1917]

​@@edurvevtx7319 "insane" en este caso quiere decir "una locura" o " es una cosa de locos!" pero en sentido positivo y de admiración

[@brunomoscozo]

I am playing a save with them on FM 20 and I just signed Ander Herrera on a free transfer , he really loves the club and wanted to come back even with other proposals

[@erinw13]

10/10 would recommend to a friend

[@chriscrimmins4246]

Amazing work lads! Exceptionally insightful now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to start a new FM save with these boys!

[@RanksFC]

Good luck...that Basque-only policy makes it a real challenge! Maybe you can entice Azpilicueta!

[@reecevalentine8502]

Awesome! Seems like an amazing club and definitely a game I want to attend one day!

[@RanksFC]

Incredible city, atmosphere and stadium. Add it to your bucket list!

[@marcdoman5065]

Great insight into the club. Looking forward to the next doc!

[@Athletic477]

Thank you, Aupa Athletic¡¡

[@EnzooznE13]

Brilliant guys, you should be proud

[@RanksFC]

We are! Glad you enjoyed it

[@zackchristodoulou4348]

This is bloody good, well done lads

[@RanksFC]

Thank you Zach! Glad you enjoyed

[@wolexismedia]

This is amazing! Well done guys 👏🏽👏🏽

[@RanksFC]

Thanks!

[@dougleno7630]

Loved it lads

[@RanksFC]

Thanks for being first in Doug!

[@Benstr99]

This is great guys, been waiting for this one and it was worth it 😅

[@RanksFC]

Worth the wait! That's what we like to hear!

[@AlexDee33]

Exceptional, go on the boys!!

[@RanksFC]

Cheers for the love Alex!

[@DominoGaming97]

Love Athletic Club. From a geordie

[@xebio6]

We love you back, great memories of playing you, and not just because we beat you lol. The atmosphere in both legs was memorable for all the right reasons. Looking forward to more of that!

[@pat00705]

such great hosts, they should start a podcast or something

[@colecollins2304]

Awesome video guys! Keep up the good work!

[@RanksFC]

Thanks so much!

[@JohnNellis]

Top content 👏🏼

[@RanksFC]

Cheers John!

[@TheKermitce]

Way to go guys!!! Waiting for the next Rankscumentary :)

[@JayCee_SF]

This is wonderful! Great job!

[@thedizzydonkey]

Very well done to the guys, took their suggestion and listened over my lunch, great material!

[@RanksFC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@edjackson3906]

Fantastic work guys 👏you should be proud of this masterpiece 😊

[@rujeri]

Great video. Thanks from Bilbao!!

[@billy_lead]

Was gonna do the football twitter thing of replacing the first letter with a W but it doesn't seem entirely appropriate for Ranks FC. Unreal documentary tho.

[@RanksFC]

😂😂😂

[@armaan_7]

Amazing video! Please keep on covering more clubs like this around the world.

[@xebio6]

There's no other club like this in elite level football at least

[@unodepuebloisback8699]

Great video! Great great club! Bilbao deserves a new trophy, King,s cup? Europeas league? Why not.

[@eskgraficoyeskweb9527]

Finally the club won its 25 king's Cup in 2024!

[@eskgraficoyeskweb9527]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIjUg6KqdrOshac 2024 Cup celebration. The audio is in basque, but that's haven't importance. In the Basque Country we are officially bilinguals (in the spanish side, in the french side they are bilinguals but not in official way. Enjoy.

[@transportesmartelo5606]

🦁🦁UNIQUE IN THE WORLD 🏆🏆BAKARRAK MONDUAN 💪💪

[@nielsjunker1487]

Great video I have so much respect of this beautiful club ❤🤍🦁 hope to visit one day fan from Denmark

[@Bjornerockz]

Yes boys, more of this this stuff!

[@RanksFC]

Thanks for watching William! We'd love to create more in the future!

[@tigercap100]

What if a US team said "we only have players from our area". They'd be called racists or bigots

[@jaimemartinez1704]

gracias por tu video

[@geuregogoa]

Gora Athletic! :)

[@TheoVascos]

Thanks !

[@adaldi_]

Ander Herrera the Manchester United cult hero! We all miss him at United 🔥

[@xabierlinazasoro954]

Aupa Athletic!!!

[@alexarrese-igor6890]

Bilbao is not the Basque capital, even though is the most populated city. Vitoria/Gasteiz is the capital.

[@RanksFC]

Yeah we realised too late - meant to say the capital of Biscay 🙈 but here we are, hope you enjoyed the rest of the video!

[@gontzallekzeit2050]

Die Hauptstadt des Baskenlandes ist Pamplona-Iruña.

[@asiersanz8941]

The historic one is Iruña/Pamplona

[@Nabarniztarra]

Thanks. Eskerrik asko. 👌

[@alejandroalvarezcachero5445]

Garazi speaks english very well!!

[@jaimegarcia9408]

8 spanish liga, 25 spanish copa of Rey, 3 spanish super copa, 2 UEFA final , with real Madrid and Barcelona never in the second league, ever in the spanish elite league, and this with only basque player, that not the rest of Spain, no no, only basque, histórical little región of north of Spain with not more 2 million of citicen. Yes, IS a special club, unique in the world

[@SamTighe]

Woop!

[@lukeshore1]

6:28 Did your videographer take an FPV drone to the training ground?! 😆

[@RanksFC]

Hahaha! The club helpfully provided that footage. Trust us though, our camera man Eden has a drone and absolutely adores using it where possible

[@lukeshore1]

@@RanksFC nah well done to Eden, especially if he handled the edit too. Congrats

[@mo7mdalmutairi]

TIFO football brought me here

[@JoseAlvarez-dp8fz]

San Mames es unico

[@zetano6244]

there’s levels to this

[@xebio6]

Elaborate please

[@inigoalonso5706]

CRACK, aúpa ATHLETIC CLUB de BILBAO .😉 AGUR.

[@adamthewolf9940]

And of course, the biggest rival besides from Madrid, they point the finger and that’s real Sociedad aka basque Derby

[@aiertxuu5310]

Historically yes but I´d put Barca at the same rivalry level than Madrid lately...

[@jackbudgen8858]

They said they raise good people within the club. Does that mean if they have a young player whose world class but a bit of a shi9thead off the pitch, they'd let them go?

[@aiertxuu5310]

Yes, they will. (and happened already) If, by any chance, and despite the education, care, help and examples they receive by the institution - the guy or gal - denies to change his behavior (aka,shi9theadness) he will be out. It sometimes got to the point of youngsters not be allowed to play certain games unless they have passed the courses with a grade - i.e. Villalibre back then.

[@lexusdav]

Sandra ❤️💚🤍

[@jeffreyfitzgerald4673]

P r o m o S M 🤤

[@evasordeimpuestos88]

Gran club español

[@asiersanz8941]

🤣🤣🤣

[@madankr9414]

I prefer the story narrated by the narrator. I think you gave too much time for players,fans & coach to talk. I think you should improve the Audio quality of the video. And please make such documentary for each Laliga clubs.

[@RanksFC]

It's our first foray into this kind of thing, so we'll certainly look to improve on the next. Appreciate the feedback, thank you for watching!

[@FranciscoGutierrez-sg1xu]

YOU SHOULD DO CHIVAS

[@iriarte1429]

I recommend you to do a video about Real Sociedad, the best team in the Basque Country 👍

[@ion_mirena]

Pero como son gente inteligente no han ido ahí a oír milongas

[@facomori3110]

Hidden Xenophobia.

[@edurvevtx7319]

False. You have a sick mind.

[@aiertxuu5310]

?

[@xebio6]

Nope, only reliance on and promotion of local talent. Jealous much?

[@unodepuebloisback8699]

???

[@AndresQuinros]

Word. They treat other Spaniards in the exact same way.

[@ziento6977]

Viva España y Aupa Athletic

[@rozfly1109]

Bilbao isn't the capital of Basque Country. Bilbao is the biggest city but the capital is Vitoria-Gasteiz

[@joseba.martinez.dantza]

Bilbao, Euskadi is not Spain, is not France.