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Using Only Local Talent, Athletic Bilbao Goes a Long Way

BILBAO, Spain — The buzzword at the best soccer clubs in Europe these days is global, as in global brand or global footprint or global reach. Bayern Munich wants to be known in Asia and Australia. Barcelona wants to be known in the Middle East. Everyone wants to be known in Africa and the United States.

Here though, in the Basque Country of northern Spain, there is a club — a team with eight Spanish league titles, 23 domestic cup titles, frequent appearances in the intercontinental competitions and the distinction of never having been relegated from the first division — with comparatively little interest in getting bigger.