Asier Illarramendi, now 36 and recently named Hong Kong Footballer of the Year with Kitchee, recalls his unusual senior debut for Real Sociedad in June 2010. After the club secured promotion to La Liga by beating Celta Vigo 2-0, a week of intense celebration preceded his first match, a 4-1 defeat at Elche. Illarramendi admitted he was exhausted after 65 minutes due to excessive celebrating.

Despite this start, Illarramendi went on to play over 250 matches for Real Sociedad across two spells. He also spent two years with Real Madrid, where he experienced the high of winning the Champions League in 2014 alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Xabi Alonso. However, a subsequent campaign saw him struggle with a significant loss of self-belief. His career journey highlights a blend of early exuberance, major European success, and personal challenges.