Quick Facts
PiscesBiography
Beñat Etxebarria Urkiaga ([beɲat etʃeβaria urkiaɣa], [beˈɲat etʃeβaˈri.a uɾˈkjaɣa]; born 19 February 1987), known simply as Beñat, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Athletic Bilbao as a central midfielder.
Club career
Athletic Bilbao
Beñat was born in Igorre, Biscay. Coming through Athletic Bilbao's prolific youth ranks at Lezama, he played his first three years with both the third team, CD Basconia, and the reserve side.
On 29 October 2006, he appeared in his first – and only – La Liga game, which consisted of six minutes against CA Osasuna in a 1–1 away draw after replacing another youth product, Francisco Yeste.
Betis
In 2008–09, Beñat played with UB Conquense in the third division, after which he was released by Athletic. In the summer he signed with Real Betis, but spent his first season with the reserves also in level three.
Beñat made his debut for Betis' main squad on 29 August 2010, playing the second half of the 4–1 home win against Granada CF and assisting on a Salva Sevilla goal. Three days later he scored in his first start, a 2–1 home triumph against UD Salamanca in the Copa del Rey; in the league campaign he contributed with 36 matches (30 starts, 2.521 minutes of action) as the Andalusians returned to the top flight after three years, netting four times.
On 2 May 2012, Beñat scored twice for his fifth and sixth goals of the season, in a 2–1 win at Sevilla FC for the local derby. The winner came in the 90th minute.
On 24 November 2012, Beñat netted the game's only goal in a 1–0 home success over Real Madrid – he scored with a shot from outside the 18-yard box in the 17th minute. He finished the campaign with 34 games and four goals, helping the club finish seventh and qualify to the UEFA Europa League.
Athletic return
In June 2013, Beñat returned to Athletic Bilbao, signing a five-year contract for a reported fee of €8 million. On 16 September, he took the first touch at the new San Mamés Stadium against RC Celta de Vigo and scored the winning goal in a 3–2 victory; he was substituted to a standing ovation, and dedicated his performance to his grandparents.
On 14 April 2016, Beñat was the only player to miss in a penalty shootout against compatriots Sevilla in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Following the appointment of manager José Ángel Ziganda for the 2017–18 season, he began featuring less regularly.
International career
Beñat played with the Spanish youth teams at under-17 level. He made his debut for the full side on 26 May 2012, playing 45 minutes in a 2–0 friendly win with Serbia in St. Gallen and thus becoming the first Betis player since Juanito to don the national team shirt, nearly four years later.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 11 June 2019
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bilbao Athletic | 2005–06 | Segunda División B | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 0 | |||
| 2006–07 | Segunda División B | 29 | 3 | — | — | — | 29 | 3 | ||||
| 2007–08 | Segunda División B | 30 | 2 | — | — | — | 30 | 2 | ||||
| Total | 75 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 5 | ||
| Athletic Bilbao | 2006–07 | La Liga | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Conquense (loan) | 2008–09 | Segunda División B | 34 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 35 | 7 | ||
| Betis B | 2009–10 | Segunda División B | 34 | 3 | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | |||
| Betis | 2010–11 | Segunda División | 36 | 4 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2011–12 | La Liga | 35 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 6 | |||
| 2012–13 | La Liga | 34 | 4 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 4 | |||
| Total | 105 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 118 | 15 | ||
| Athletic Bilbao | 2013–14 | La Liga | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 1 | ||
| 2014–15 | La Liga | 28 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 44 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | La Liga | 36 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 55 | 3 | |
| 2016–17 | La Liga | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2017–18 | La Liga | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | La Liga | 27 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 28 | 2 | |||
| Total | 159 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 207 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 419 | 33 | 34 | 3 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 490 | 40 | ||
International
- As of 14 November 2012
| Spain | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2012 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |
Honours
Athletic Bilbao
- Supercopa de España: 2015