Rego Stands Out as Athletic Bilbao’s Sole Field Player with Perfect Champions League Appearance Record

Athletic Bilbao’s 2025-26 campaign saw a standout individual performance from midfielder Endika Rego, who has emerged as the club’s only outfield player to feature in every single Champions League match. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in his debut season with the senior team.

Rego’s consistent presence on the pitch extended across all eight league-phase games of the Champions League. He shares this distinction for complete participation with the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, Unai Simón. The club’s journey in the competition saw them fighting until the final moments of the last matchday to secure their progression.

Key facts
| Player | Appearances | Competition | Season |
|—————|————-|—————|———-|
| Endika Rego | 8 | Champions League | 2025-26 |
| Unai Simón | 8 | Champions League | 2025-26 |

Rego’s overall contribution to Athletic Bilbao throughout the 2025-26 season was substantial, with him participating in 41 out of the 52 total matches played by the club. This impressive workload for a player in his first year with the senior squad highlights his immediate impact and importance to manager Ernesto Valverde’s plans.

Minutes Played in Champions League

While Rego played in every Champions League fixture, his total minutes on the continental stage rank him fourth among outfield players. He accumulated 500 minutes of playing time. Ahead of him in this metric are Unai Simón with 720 minutes, Iñigo Paredes with 630 minutes, and Robert Navarro with 506 minutes. This indicates that while Rego was a consistent presence, his role often involved coming off the bench or being substituted in certain crucial matchups.

Valverde’s Preferred Lineup

The analysis of the team’s most frequently used starting eleven by Valverde reveals a consistent core. The typical formation featured: Unai Simón; Gorosabel, Paredes, Vivian, Adama; Rego, Jauregizar; Robert Navarro, Sancet, Berenguer; and Guruzeta. Rego was a starter in six of these matches, only being brought on as a substitute in games against two of the competition’s eventual finalists: Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Contract Extension

Adding to his successful season, Rego also secured a contract extension yesterday, committing his future to Athletic Bilbao until 2030. This agreement underscores the club’s confidence in his potential and his role in their long-term strategy. The renewal signals a commitment to building around the young talent.

The context of Rego’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given Athletic Bilbao’s competitive season. The team battled fiercely in the Champions League, demonstrating resilience and determination throughout the group stage. Rego’s ability to maintain a perfect attendance record in such a demanding competition speaks volumes about his fitness, dedication, and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff. His performance serves as an inspiration and a positive sign for the future of Athletic Bilbao’s European aspirations.

Source: Mundo Deportivo Futbol – https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20260621/1004197531/unico-jugador-campo-athletic-pleno-champions.html

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