WATCH: The insane celebrations as Athletic Club parade Copa del Rey down the river on barge

By Ruairidh Barlow - 11 April 2024, 19:52

It’s been a long time since Athletic Club hoisted the Copa del Rey into the air, but after 40 years of waiting, you’d been entitled to think Iker Muniain won’t need to hit the weights for a while the amount of carrrying the trophy he’s done.

🦁Athletic Club took the Copa del Rey out on the barge this afternoon, parading it to their fans on the famous 'Gabarra' 40 years later.

Here's a thread of some of incredible celebrations 😍pic.twitter.com/TcmJfecDtH

— Football España (@footballespana_) April 11, 2024

After taking to the streets on Tuesday night for a spontaneous street party with fans, the Athletic Club squad were back into offical celebration mode on Thursday, as their ‘street parade’ began.

'We're crazy, we're crazy.'

'I think the fans, the people, they deserved this. Many of the previous generations and ourselves didn't know what this was like'

Iñaki Williams 🗣️pic.twitter.com/UBChQMaav9

— Football España (@footballespana_) April 11, 2024

The ‘Gabarra’ barge was back on water for the first time in four decades, and was greeted by thousands of fans in the centre of Bilbao. A fleet of boats set off to accompany La Gabarra, with the banks of the river lined all the way.

🎶Lo lo lo lo, lo lo lo lo, we are Athletic!pic.twitter.com/eyMpQjV1m8

— Football España (@footballespana_) April 11, 2024

Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez caught a private plane to Bilbao in order to celebrate his former teammates, and other figures of the past such as Andoni Zubizarreta, Jose Angel Iribar and Patxi Salinas were all present on boats or at the city hall too.

'We're gonna need your biggest speakers'

The launch of La Gabarra.pic.twitter.com/NWSLizYU28

— Football España (@footballespana_) April 11, 2024

That was where the parade finished, with Ernesto Valverde and the squad attending a reception from the Mayor of Bilbao. Thereafter the squad took to the stage where they were introduced one-by-one by Iker Muniain, captain of both club and celebrations.