Athletic Club, commonly known as Athletic, is a distinguished Spanish professional football club located in the vibrant city of Bilbao in the Basque Country. Established in 1898, Athletic earned the moniker Los Leones (The Lions) due to their historic connection to San Mamés, a church named after Saint Mammes who pacified lions. The club's iconic red and white-striped shirts with black shorts pay homage to its rich heritage and tradition. Athletic stands as one of the pillars of Spanish football, renowned for its commitment to nurturing local talent through its cantera policy.
| GP | GF | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | AaB | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| At. Bilbao | 2 | 3 | 4 |
 | Saint-André | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Athletic Bilbao takes pride in its renowned youth academy, which has been instrumental in developing top-tier football talent. Located in the Basque Country of Spain, the academy is synonymous with a strong commitment to player development and a distinctive emphasis on local talent.
Among the distinguished alumni of Athletic Bilbao's youth academy are Kepa Arrizabalaga and Iker Muniain. Kepa, a talented goalkeeper, honed his skills within the club's youth system before establishing himself as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Spanish football. He excelled at Athletic Bilbao before securing a record transfer to Chelsea FC in the English Premier League. Similarly, Muniain, a versatile midfielder known for his technical prowess and leadership qualities, rose through the ranks of Athletic's youth system to become a pillar in the first team. He has represented both Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team. Their success underscores the effectiveness of Athletic Bilbao's youth academy in nurturing talent and perpetuating the club's rich tradition of promoting local players.
