Athletic Bilbao winger Ibai Gomez has paid tribute to Aritz Aduriz.

The centre-forward announced his retirement yesterday after seeing the Copa del Rey postponed until next season.

Ibai says the circumstances of Aduriz's decision is "unfair".

"It was unfair. He could say goodbye to the final, with a title. That is what he deserved. I am very sorry that he had to go like this. We knew about the hip problem for a long time and also that he was doing everything possible to contribute to the team," he said.

"He was clear that when he had to do it he was going to step aside. He is the one who feels and the one who knows how he is. And he has decided that it is now. He told us before announcing it publicly.

"He said he believed that it was time, that he had to undergo surgery to live a normal life and that it was time for the decision."

Ibai added: "Aduriz is one of the most competitive and influential footballers I've ever played with. And I'm not the only one to say it. A genius like Marcelo Bielsa said it, acknowledging that he was one of the best 9s that he had trained."