Athletic Bilbao 2025-26: The Basque Club's Rise to La Liga's Top 4
Athletic Bilbao are one of the most unique clubs in world football. They only sign players who are Basque or were trained in the Basque Country. No foreign imports, no big-money transfers from other leagues. And yet, in 2025-26, they're competing for a Champions League spot. It's one of the best stories in football.
The Basque-only policy
Athletic's transfer policy is simple: they only sign players with Basque heritage or who were developed in Basque football academies. This means they can't buy Haaland or Mbappé — they have to develop their own talent or sign from a very small pool of eligible players.
Despite this restriction, Athletic have never been relegated from La Liga. They're one of only three clubs (along with Barcelona and Real Madrid) to have played in every season of the Spanish top flight. That's an incredible achievement given their self-imposed limitations.
This season's success
Athletic are 4th in La Liga with 50 points from 28 games. They're in the Champions League qualification spots, and they have a realistic chance of finishing there. Their form since January has been exceptional — they've won 8 of their last 10 games.
The key to their success is Ernesto Valverde's management. Valverde returned to Athletic in 2023 and has built a team that's greater than the sum of its parts. They press aggressively, they're organized defensively, and they have enough individual quality to hurt any team in the league.
Key players
Nico Williams: The 23-year-old winger is Athletic's best player and one of the most exciting talents in La Liga. He's fast, he's direct, and his dribbling is electric. He was the star of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, and he's continued that form at club level. Every big club in Europe wants him, but Athletic's policy means he can't be easily replaced.
Iñaki Williams: Nico's older brother is still going strong at 31. He holds the record for most consecutive La Liga appearances (over 250), and his pace and work rate make him a constant threat. The Williams brothers on the same team is a nightmare for defenders.
Oihan Sancet: The midfielder has been Athletic's most improved player this season. His passing, his shooting, and his ability to arrive late in the box have made him one of the best midfielders in La Liga.
Can they sustain it?
The challenge for Athletic is always depth. Because of their transfer policy, they can't just buy reinforcements when injuries hit. If Nico Williams or Sancet get injured, there's no like-for-like replacement available on the transfer market.
But Athletic's academy is one of the best in Spain, and they consistently produce talented players. The pipeline is strong, and the culture of the club — the pride, the identity, the connection to the Basque Country — gives them an edge that money can't buy.
Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League would be one of the great stories in modern football. A club that refuses to compromise its values, competing against the richest clubs in the world. That's what football should be about.