Players and fans celebrated history after Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca 4-2 on penalties to win their 24th Copa del Rey title and their first since 1984. This ended a 40-year trophy drought in a nail-biting final in Seville.
“It’s really proud to represent a community like Athletic,” said one fan. Bilbao is the fourth oldest Spanish club, along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, and one of the three clubs that have never been relegated. He remains true to his unique philosophy of only using players of Basque origin. “This is another dream that I have fulfilled. I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times,” said Basque Country-born winger Nico Williams.
