The 2008-09 campaign was an unforgettable season of cup glory for Athletic Bilbao, as Los Leones, under the passionate leadership of Joaquín Caparrós, battled to the Copa del Rey Final for the first time in 24 years. Despite finishing 13th in La Liga, their heroic run, which culminated in a 4-1 final loss to Pep Guardiola's treble-winning Barcelona, secured a coveted spot in the Europa League. Spearheading the attack was the talismanic centre-forward Fernando Llorente, whose 17 goals across all competitions proved his breakout season, cementing his status as the club's new hero and a defining chapter in Athletic's modern history.