Nico, who emerged as one of Spain’s most promising talents following an impressive season, was strongly linked with a move to the Camp Nou. However, he rejected Barcelona’s advances and opted to extend his contract with Athletic Bilbao, committing to the club until 2025.

Speaking candidly about the transfer saga, Inaki Williams did not hold back in his criticism of Barcelona’s tactics.

“A lot of lies have been told. We all know how football works and the pressure they wanted to exert. Barça ran a media campaign they thought would work. That external noise caused a lot of damage and tainted the situation,” said Inaki, who has recently been named captain of Athletic Bilbao.

Both Williams brothers are expected to play key roles as Bilbao prepares for a busy 2025/26 campaign, which includes a return to European competition.

The team kicks off their La Liga season against Sevilla, with high expectations at San Mamés.

Source: Adomonline.com

Ahead of the 2025/26 La Liga season, Athletic Club officially confirmed Ghana international Iñaki Williams as the new team captain, succeeding veteran defender Óscar De Marcos.

Following the announcement—and after committing his own long-term future to the club—Nico expressed deep admiration for Iñaki’s leadership qualities.

“We have both always dreamed of this moment. My brother is a reference point for everyone, and above all, for me,” the 22-year-old said.

“I think he’s the best man to be captain. I’m looking forward to seeing him wear the armband for a long time,” he added.

Nico also revealed their shared ambition to make a mark in the UEFA Champions League this season while continuing to build their legacy at San Mamés.

“We have very ambitious goals, such as the Champions League. What better way to pursue them than with the club of my life? I want to keep making history here at San Mamés—with the fans and with my family,” he stated.

Athletic Club will kick off their La Liga season at home against Sevilla, with the Williams brothers set to play pivotal roles in the campaign.

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In a statement released on Tuesday, July 15, the Basque club announced: “Nico Williams strengthens his bond with Athletic.”

The exciting winger has penned a deal that will keep him at San Mamés until June 30, 2035, with the club highlighting his ambition to “continue making history with the club of my life.”

The extension adds eight more years to his previous agreement. The signing ceremony took place at San Mamés and was attended by club president Jon Uriarte, General Director of Football Mikel González, his older brother and team captain Iñaki Williams, and their mother, María Arthuer.

Despite receiving significant interest from Spanish giants FC Barcelona, Nico Williams has opted to remain loyal to Athletic Club.

The 22-year-old looks set to follow in the footsteps of his brother Iñaki, who has spent his entire professional career at Athletic, rising through the ranks to become the club’s leader both on and off the pitch.

The 22-year-old had been heavily linked with Barcelona, while German club Bayern Munich were also speculated to be interested in his services.

His previous deal with Bilbao was scheduled to run out in 2027 but he has now extended his terms with them until 30 June, 2035.

The Spanish club have said Williams’ release clause, which is believed to have been €62m (£53m), has also increased by 50%.

“When decisions have to be made, for me, what weighs most is the heart. I’m where I want to be, with my people, this is my home,” said Williams.

Williams has come through the ranks at Bilbao, where his older brother Inaki is also a player, and made his debut for the club aged 18 in April 2021.

He has scored 31 goals in 167 appearances for the club and helped them finish fourth in La Liga last season as they qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League.

Williams also helped Spain win Euro 2024, scoring in the 2-1 victory over England in the final.

This announcement comes after it was understood that Barcelona had agreed personal terms with the forward which led to Athletic fans erasing Nico Williams from a mural featuring him and Inaki.

It is also just over a week after Athletic said they had met with La Liga to find out about Barcelona’s “ability to sign players” amid the Nou Camp club’s financial issues.

Athletic Bilbao added they had “legitimate interest in accessing the relevant information after FC Barcelona sporting director Deco publicly acknowledged that they will try to sign a player from our first team”.

“Deco’s statements add to the public statements made by FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta himself, admitting that the Blaugrana club ‘is working to be within the 1:1 rule’ and that, therefore, it is not currently within the parameters of said rule for registering players.”

The ‘1:1 rule’ states that Barcelona can only spend as much as their income and accounts allow, with La Liga calculating a limit based on the club’s expected income.

Latest in a line of long-term contracts

The 10-year contract for Williams continues an increasingly common practice across football whereby more players are being signed to long-term contracts.

In January, Norway striker Erling Haaland committed to a new deal with Manchester City until 2034.

Chelsea are renowned for signing players to long-term agreements and, in August 2024, forward Cole Palmer extended what was already a seven-year contract by two years to keep him with the Blues until 2033.

The Stamford Bridge club has continued to employ this strategy, despite Uefa and the Premier League changing rules in 2023 so a transfer fee can only be spread across a maximum of five years of a player’s initial contract.

Previously, Spain playmaker Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime deal with Barcelona when he was 33 in October 2017, although he joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe in 2018.

Williams, 21, signed a new deal with Athletic at the end of last year but his contract includes a release clause worth around €58 million ($63m).

Barça are in excess of their annual LaLiga spending limit and are unable to register new signings, but Laporta is confident they will fix their finances soon and be able to afford players like Williams.

“Economically speaking, we could commit to the signing of Nico Williams,” Laporta told Catalunya Radio on Monday.

“Nico’s a player I like — I like him a lot. We are working with [new coach Hansi] Flick on possible signings. Now we have to leave [sporting director] Deco to close the operations we are working on.

“Shortly we will be able to announce some good news with regard to the financial [issues] and we will be back within LaLiga’s Fair Play limits. And that will allow further good news in terms of [signings].”

Williams is among the targets to strengthen the attack. His reputation has received a huge boost at the Euros this summer, where he has been one of the stars of Spain’s run to the semifinal.

He set up the winning goal against Italy, when he was named MVP, and scored and assisted in the 4-1 round-of-16 win over Georgia last week.

While in Germany, Williams and Barça duo Lamine Yamal and Pedri have regularly been asked about the possibility of them playing together at the Catalan club next season.

Both Yamal, who has struck up a close relationship with Williams while playing for Spain, and Pedri have both expressed a desire to see him make the switch to Barça.

Williams, though, has refrained from looking beyond the Euros, saying his only focus is on helping Spain win a fourth European Championship trophy this month.

The Athletic forward, whose brother, Iñaki Williams, is a club teammate, will next be in action for Spain on Tuesday when they play France in the semifinal in Munich.

In a heartfelt interview with the BBC, Nico spoke warmly of Inaki’s role in their lives, particularly during times when their parents were absent.

“For me, he is a reference, he is everything for me. He has helped my parents and me so that we can eat so that I could go to class so that I could get dressed” Nico said.

Describing Inaki as both a mentor and a father figure, Nico emphasized their close bond.

“He corrects me, he advises me, he has always done it actually, but we get along very well. He is my brother, but he also acts as a father a little” he added.

Their bond extends onto the field as well, as they made history together on 28 April 2021 by becoming the first siblings to play for Athletic together since 1986, coming on as substitutes in a memorable match against Real Valladolid.

Currently, Nico Williams continues to shine, representing Spain at Euro 2024 in Germany.

He showcased his talent with a stunning goal in Spain’s commanding 4-1 victory over Georgia in the Round of 16.

Nico’s parents, Felix and Maria, originally from Ghana, embarked on a perilous journey across the Sahara desert in pursuit of opportunities abroad.

Their intended destination was the United Kingdom, but they were stranded midway when their savings were taken by a criminal gang.

They were later detained in the Spanish enclave of Melilla, where a lawyer advised them to seek asylum by stating that, they were from war-torn Liberia rather than Ghana.

Reflecting on his parents’ sacrifices, Nico, who also plays for the Spanish national team, spoke warmly of their bravery.

“Thanks to God we are all here together now, living a really good life. My parents are getting to watch their sons prosper, which is why they came here. Everything we do is for our parents,” he told the BBC.

“They risked their lives so that we, my brother and I, have a better future. And they achieved that. I will forever appreciate what my father and my mother did for us – they are fighters, they instilled in us respect, hard work, every day, that nobody gifts you anything.

“The truth is I am so proud to be able to have them as parents, and I try to do everything possible so that they feel proud to have me as a son,” he added.

Nico’s older brother, Inaki Williams, chose to represent the Ghanaian national team.

The Williams brothers both play for Spanish La Liga side, Athletic Bilbao.

Playing in their first major tournament, Georgia had to soak up heavy pressure from Spain early on but stunned those watching on at Cologne Stadium when they took a surprise lead after 18 minutes.

Spain defender Robin le Normand poked Otar Kakabadze’s curling cross into his own net, finishing off a devastating counter-attack and silencing supporters behind their goal.

Substitutes warming up sprinted over to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who led Georgia’s celebrations in the corner.

It sparked confidence in Georgia but Spain’s pressure eventually paid off when Manchester City’s Rodri drilled a shot into the bottom corner – beating goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had another outstanding overall display.

Spain continued to excite in attack, stringing together countless chances, and capitalised when Fabian Ruiz nodded in a cross from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal.

Georgia continued to battle and Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia would have scored the goal of the tournament had his clever chip from the halfway line bounced a metre to the right instead of passing the post.

But despite Georgia’s flair and unpredictability, Spain’s accomplished possession game took control – Nico Williams striking powerfully into the roof of the net to make it 3-1, before Dani Olmo’s precise finish capped things off.

European giants and home favourites Germany are up next for Spain in Stuttgart on Friday, while Georgia exit the competition after a fairytale run in which they massively exceeded expectations.

Athletic Bilbao was in dire need of a win to boost their chances for a top-four finish after suffering a defeat against Atletico Madrid last weekend.

The first half witnessed few clear opportunities, but the visiting team capitalized on theirs when Nico Williams set up his elder brother Inaki for an impressive long-range goal, giving Bilbao the lead.

27′ ¡¡IÑAKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! ⚽️

0-1 I #GetafeAthletic #AthleticClub ? pic.twitter.com/w1EhupgoZO

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) May 3, 2024

Getafe felt hard done by not being awarded a penalty early in each half, but despite these decisions going against them, they persisted in their quest for an equalizer.

However, they fell further behind just after the hour mark when once again Nico provided the assist for Inaki to score his second goal of the match past David Soria.

50′ ¡¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL DE IÑAKI WILLIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMS!! ⚽️

0-2 I #GetafeAthletic #AthleticClub ? pic.twitter.com/y3Pheqaj9s

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) May 3, 2024

As Athletic Bilbao aimed to see out the game, they faced setbacks, including defender Yeray Alvarez receiving a straight red card for handball in the area.

Despite intense pressure from the hosts, they managed to fend off late attempts from Getafe to narrow the gap, with substitute Mason Greenwood missing a stoppage-time penalty.

With eleven league goals this season, Inaki Williams continues to shine for his childhood club and is set to play a crucial role as they pursue European football next season.

After missing the Nigeria and Uganda friendlies in March, Inaki Williams is expected to rejoin the Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

The game was briefly halted due to reported racist chants aimed at Nico by some Atlético Madrid supporters.

Inaki expressed his frustration over the incident, defending his brother’s performance on the field.

“My brother gives his all on the field. He loves bringing joy to those who watch him, and I don’t understand why people criticize him,” said the 29-year-old.

“I believe those jeers should be directed at the individuals who made those insults, not the victim. No.”

He continued, “This isn’t the first time it has happened. We need to work together to create a world where such actions are not tolerated, not just in football but in society as a whole.”

“I believe this scourge must come to an end. People need to understand that enduring this type of insult is not easy.”

Despite the incident, Bilbao suffered a 3-1 defeat, impacting their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

The Williams brothers recently led Athletic Bilbao to their first Copa Del Rey title in 40 years.

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The Spain winger asked referee Juan Martinez to stop the match midway through the first half at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano.

The game was paused to make an announcement to the crowd, and Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez appeared to urge their fans to stop the chanting before play resumed.

“I have gone to take a corner and I have heard monkey sounds,” 21-year-old Williams told DAZN.

“There are stupid people everywhere, but nothing happens. We have to keep working.

“I hope this changes little by little because in the end we are fighting internally and externally against this.”

Williams was booed by some fans throughout, which intensified when the match was stopped and after he equalised just before half-time.

Talking about his goal celebration, he said: “It comes with a bit of anger.

“It is not normal that they still insult you because of your skin tone.”

Williams’ brother and team-mate Inaki Williams said: “The jeers should be directed at the people who said the insults and not at the victim.”

Writing on social media, Atletico said the club were “against any act of racism or hatred”.

A La Liga statement read: “There’s no place for racist or hateful behaviour in sport.

“La Liga vehemently condemns any racist acts and will continue working to eradicate this inexcusable behaviour from our sport.”

Williams cancelled out Rodrigo de Paul’s opener, but Angel Correa’s effort early in the second half and an own goal from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon earned Atletico victory.

They are six points clear of fifth-placed Athletic with five games remaining this season, leaving them well positioned to secure Champions League football next season.

Last month Real Madrid filed a complaint with the Spanish legal authorities after a video on social media appeared to show Atletico fans chanting a racist slur about Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr.

Inaki is a pioneer.

He helped raise Nico while their parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet, but also paved the way for his brother and other sons of immigrants to represent a club whose policy of only fielding players born or raised in the Basque Country inevitably meant the squad has historically reflected the predominantly white society around it.

Inaki, 29, was not the first player of African heritage to represent the club – that was Jonas Ramalho, son of an Angolan father and Basque mother, in 2011 – but he is the first black player to establish himself at San Mames, having made more than 300 La Liga appearances, including an unprecedented 251 in a row.

Nico, eight years his junior, is, in Inaki’s words, now “making waves in football” too, and any nerves the youngster feels these days are channelled into realising childhood dreams of performing on the biggest stage alongside his big brother, mentor and guardian.

“As an older brother, it makes me really proud to see how he has grown, to see how he is improving as a footballer. He has no ceiling,” Inaki tells BBC Sport. “I’m here to help him, to teach him and give him everything he needs.”

It is a journey that began long ago, and a long way from Bilbao. Their mother, Maria, was pregnant with Inaki when she left Ghana with father Felix in search of a better life.

The couple crossed part of the Sahara barefoot. Inaki only learned the full extent of their story when he was 20. He had known his father had problems with the soles of his feet, but not that scorching sand was the reason why. 

Felix and Maria made it to the Spanish territory of Melilla in north Africa, jumping a border fence, but were detained by the civil guard.

A lawyer advised them to lie, to say they were from war-torn Liberia instead and seek political asylum.

He arranged help in Bilbao from Catholic priest Inaki Mardones, who met the couple at Abando railway station when Maria was seven months pregnant, found them an apartment and took them to hospital for Inaki’s birth.

Mardones baptised the future star, even gave him his first football shirt, and became his godfather.

He is whom Inaki takes his name from.

Not that settling in Spain made life easy for the family. They were given state housing in Pamplona and worked any jobs they could.

Felix moved to London in search of more opportunities, working the turnstiles at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, and Inaki – still a child – stepped in to help his mum raise Nico.

“We had to suffer a lot,” says Inaki, who would contribute to the family finances by refereeing football matches before his gift for the sport was enough to bring Felix home and end his search for work.

“Thanks to God we are all here together now, living a really good life. My parents are getting to watch their sons prosper, which is why they came here. Everything we do is for our parents.”

On Athletic’s radar for several years before officially joining the youth set-up aged 18, Inaki made his senior debut two years later in December 2014, sporting the same red and white jersey he wore as a boy.

“Inaki had a very difficult life when he was very young,” explains Athletic sporting director Mikel Gonzalez. “He knows what his responsibility is, so you can see him like a superhero. His mum is, for sure.”

Maria would always be there to watch her boys’ matches. Nico joined the academy aged 12, when Inaki was already breaking into the first team, and began to forge his own path to stardom.

“It was incredible watching him play,” says former Athletic head coach Gaizka Garitano. “So easy. He was very fast, incredible speed. Even more skilful than his older brother.

“Their mother was key for their improvement. Not only in football but also in the way they are, the respect of everybody. It was very tough for them, Inaki especially.

“Inaki lived this situation at home very hard, without any money.

“The character of Inaki is based on that time. He is very humble, always trying to learn from the coaches, and is very respectful.”

On Saturday the brothers will try to help Athletic win a first major trophy in 40 years when they face Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final in Seville.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to make the trip by air, rail or eight-hour drive, most without tickets. If Athletic return with the trophy, the legend of the Williams brothers will be immortalised.

The club’s importance, especially in the Basque province of Bizkaia, is clear.

Athletic are an institution, visible in all aspects of daily life. Each baby born in the region in 2023 received a bib commemorating the club’s 125th anniversary. So vast is their youth network that they boast more than 160 partnership clubs and every football-playing boy at under-11s level trains at the club’s Lezama base at least once this season.

As sporting director Gonzalez puts it: “The first song you learn is the Athletic song. The first jersey you have is the jersey of Athletic. Your first time in a football stadium is always in San Mames.”

After a friendly appearance for Spain in 2016, Inaki chose instead to represent Ghana at international level. Nico meanwhile has committed fully to Spain, making four appearances at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Both are also Basque.

Athletic are at the heart of that, providing Basque language lessons for all employees and celebrating Basque history and culture.

Even people without a general interest in football see the team as a vehicle for expressing their identity, a sense of belonging. “A religion,” one taxi driver calls it. He is at a wedding on Saturday but will join the bride and groom in front of the TV for kick-off at 10pm local time.

“Sometimes you find people who don’t really like football, but still they are Athletic fans,” explains midfielder Ander Herrera.

“That’s unique in the world. You see people who have been season ticket holders all their lives and they don’t watch other games; they only watch Athletic.

“In Bilbao, you find a woman who is 60 or 70 years old, she stops you in the street and she says to you that we have to win the cup and we have to qualify for the Champions League.”

Right now the city is decorated red and white. Flags hang from apartment windows, offices and council buildings. One metro station is decked out like San Mames, with a backdrop of fans looking over arrivals and departures.

Kids have been delivering letters to Athletic’s headquarters – the grand Ibaigane Palace – for players to open when they get to Seville.

At Bar Ledesma, where Pena Los Inakis, a fan club dedicated to the older Williams sibling, meet, you can eat Athletic crisps and sip club-branded beer.

Near the stadium, in the heart of the city, banners flutter and even a mannequin in a wedding dress sports an Athletic scarf in a bridal shop window.

The club have been the bridesmaid too many times since their most recent Copa del Rey triumph in 1984.

Six final defeats, including two in as many weeks when the pandemic delayed a heartbreaking loss to rivals Real Sociedad, have followed.

There is a sense that, with Mallorca 15th in La Liga, this is Athletic’s best opportunity yet to end a long wait for major silverware.

The brothers, playing either side of the front three, have been fundamental in this cup run. Immediately after Ghana were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations, Inaki, flew back via Paris to arrive in Bilbao at 11am on the day of the quarter-final against Barcelona.

He came off the bench that evening to score in extra time before setting up Nico in a 4-2 victory.

Then, in the 3-0 semi-final second-leg win against Atletico Madrid, they assisted each other again. San Mames, ‘the Cathedral’, rejoiced.

“In terms of football, they are key,” says Herrera. “But on the personal side they are fantastic guys, always positive, always smiling.

“Even when they argue, which we have seen a few times, like a brother discussion, it is so funny for us and we love it.”

Just don’t mention La Gabarra.

In the successful 80s, when Athletic won back-to-back titles and the double in 1984, it became tradition for players to celebrate on a barge on the River Nervion.

Some believe talking about it since has become a jinx.

Pictures from those triumphs show a different Bilbao, an industrial city. Now it is an innovative hub of contemporary architecture with the Guggenheim museum, situated on the riverbank where a factory once stood, at the heart of its regeneration.

The football club reflects and embraces change, too. Throughout the youth system there are now players whose parents moved from Africa, South America or elsewhere. Midfielder Junior Bita, born in Ivory Coast, made the matchday squad last season. In the summer winger Alvaro Djalo will join from Braga. He is of Guinean descent and moved to Bizkaia as a baby.

“It was just part of the historical process of the country,” explains journalist Benat Gutierrez. “The Basque Country got a lot of immigrants before, but they were coming from other parts of Spain, therefore they were mainly white.

“African immigrants started coming in the late 80s, early 90s, probably the bigger influx in the 2000s, and it was just younger adult men who were not ready to start a sports career here.

“It has been a process until we are seeing the sons or even the grandsons of those new Basque citizens that are starting to be really important for Athletic.”

The club’s all-Basque selection policy began following a dispute about Athletic using English players in the 1911 Copa del Rey. With the Spanish football federation introducing a rule the following season that players must be Spanish, an aggrieved Athletic went one step further.

Through stubbornness and success, picking from a population of about three million has worked for more than a century – Athletic have never been relegated from Spain’s top tier and trail only Real Madrid and Barcelona in terms of trophies won.

Critics call it xenophobic or racist. Some cite the case of Miguel Jones, a Bilbao native born in Equatorial Guinea who trained with the club. Policy at the time, however, dictated players must be born locally, so Jones was let go and instead enjoyed a successful career at Atletico Madrid in the 1960s.

Jones himself dismissed claims of racism, citing white players who experienced the same fate, and celebrated Inaki’s emergence before his death in 2020. Perhaps more poignant than a trophy, then, will be the Williams brothers’ legacy.

“It has been very rewarding to see how Athletic has evolved across time,” says Gaizka Atxa, the Mexico-born founder of a fans’ group named after Fred Pentland, a legendary former English coach of the club.

“Athletic is a reflection of our society here and seeing the Williams brothers flourish means that any immigrant or son of immigrants has a decent opportunity to play for our club.

“That just opens wide possibilities as to what Athletic could become in the next few decades.”

How long they will continue to flourish together is a topic of debate. Nico, who wears ‘Williams Jr’ on his back, is highly sought-after, notably from Chelsea, where his father once tore tickets.

The 21-year-old’s individual goal against Atletico in December was one of six he has scored in 29 games for Athletic this season. He is also joint second in La Liga’s assist standings.

“Inaki is helping Nico a lot in everything,” says sporting director Gonzalez. “Nico is a very good player, but he is very young and you can imagine a lot of noise around him with clubs, with agents. But Inaki is the best example of hard work.”

Athletic fans can reluctantly accept when a star player goes as long as they leave money – in the form of a fat transfer fee – on the table. Aymeric Laporte, a £57m departure to Manchester City, for example. Nico’s previous contract was due to expire in June 2024, but in December he signed an extension through to 2027, under his brother’s guidance.

“Inaki, of course, was also in on these decisions with his family,” says Gonzalez. “They feel very well here in Bilbao. They believe in the project. They are very happy with the team, with the coach, with everything. They also have the love of the supporters.

“For sure, at another club Nico could have gone for free to a Champions League club, earning much more money or winning more titles. But in this moment he has the feeling he has to continue here and Inaki is a very important person for him to take the best decisions in his professional career.”

In any case, Nico and Inaki have unfinished business in Bilbao, a cup final to win – for the fans, for the city, for the club, for Felix and Maria.

The duo orchestrated Bilbao’s 3-0 victory at San Mames, securing their team’s spot in the final under the guidance of coach Ernesto Valverde.

Entering the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the previous encounter at Wanda Politano, Athletic Club displayed dominance from the outset.

Inaki Williams, who featured at the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with the Black Stars broke the deadlock in the 13th minute with a sublime volley, capitalizing on a superb run by his younger brother Nico, who provided an exquisite cross from the left wing.

The Ghanaian international then turned creator, setting up Nico to extend Bilbao’s lead, firmly placing them in control of the tie.

After halftime, Gorka Guruzeta sealed the deal with a third goal, leaving Atletico Madrid with no chance of a comeback.

Bilbao now looks forward to facing Mallorca in the final, with the date of the showdown yet to be determined.

Athletic Club on Saturday hosted Vallecano at the San Mamés in the Round of 15 games.

Inaki, who has been a key figure for the side and scored in their away draw against Girona in midweek was handed a starting berth.

Gorka Guruzeta broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute for the home side to end the first half of the game 1-0. 

After recess, Inaki’s powerful drive took a massive deflection off Alfonso Espino before going in. However, the match officials described it as an own.

The home side continued their dominance and Inaki finally scored in the 64th minute with an assist from Gorka Guruzeta

Four minutes later, Inaki’s younger brother, Nico Williams, who signed a new contract until 2027 scored and sealed the win with a brilliant strike to end the game 4-0.

Inaki Williams has now scored eight goals in 15 matches and three assists in the ongoing La Liga campaign.

On the other side, Nico has scored three goals in 12 games for Bilbao.

Athletic Bilbao now sit 5th on the league log with 28 points and will face Cayon in the Copa del Rey in the second round of games before travelling to face Granada at the Los Cármenes on Sunday, December 10.

Nico Williams made his debut for the ‘La Furia Roja’ in the UEFA Nations League match against Switzerland.

The Athletic Bilbao forward came off the bench in the 63rd minute as Spain lost 2-1 against Switzerland.

Nico, whose senior brother switched nationality to play for Ghana, had opted to represent Spain.

“It’s an indescribable feeling, all players dream of this moment. The coach has given me the opportunity I needed, I am very grateful,” he told the Federation media hours after his debut.

“I have always been clear that I wanted to be here. As everyone knows, I want to be with the Spanish team and be better, show that I’m worth being here.”

Meanwhile, the 20-year-old has set sights on making Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Going to the World Cup would be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, I’d be super happy, it’s every kid’s dream and hopefully that situation can happen.”

The 20-year-old was included in Luis Enrique’s squad for the upcoming games against Switzerland and Portugal as they wrap up preparations for the World Cup.

Nico, whose senior brother Inaki Williams, switched nationality to play for Ghana, in an interview with La Roja’s media team stated that he was not aware he had made Enrique’s initial squad.

“I had no idea that I was in the pre-list, it has been a joy for my whole family and I am going to perform here,” he said.

“My parents and my whole family are proud of me and now we have to continue.”

The promising forward has been on the radar of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] for years and Ghanaians were hoping he follows the footsteps of his senior brother, Inaki Williams who has switched nationality to play for Ghana.

Inaki played for La Roja in 2016 after representing Spain’s U-18 and U-21 teams before finally agreeing to play for the Black Stars.

In an interview ahead of the friendlies, Enrique revealed his decision to call up Nico while rejecting claims of trying to block a possible move to switch to Ghana, the Black Stars.

“I’m not doing this to stop from him going with Ghana; he’s young and a very interesting player,” he said as quoted by British newspaper, The Guardian.

“He’s playing more often with Athletic now. He’s progressing wonderfully. I like him enormously. We’ve had him in the junior squad and have been following him for a long time.

“I reckon the family will be delighted: imagine the party if they both go to the World Cup. And they reach the final, well, that would be the absolute business.”

Both Inaki and Nico scored for the first time in a game over the weekend when Athletic Bilbao defeated Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish La Liga.

The Atletico Bilbao forward was among the three debutants named in Luis Enrique’s squad for upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Switzerland and Portugal.

The younger brother of Inaki Williams was one of the players the Ghana Football Association was bent on convincing to feature for the senior national team ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nico who visited Ghana in July asked for more time following his brother’s nationality switch to play for Black Stars.

“I have been watching the Black Stars. I always want to see them [play] and learn from them,” he said in an interview with 3Sports.

“I am so young at the moment and I’m focusing on myself, working hard. Whether it is Spain or Ghana [I don’t know yet]. I want to be the best and when the time comes, I will [make the decision].”

However, the 20-year-old who is in line to make his international debut for Spain leaves Ghana switch in doubt.

If he plays any minutes for Spain against Switzerland in Zaragoza on September 24 and plays Portugal in Braga three days later, he would still be eligible to represent Ghana, provided he does not play more than three competitive matches at a senior level prior to turning 21 years. 

FIFA Nationality switch rule

In September 2020, the 70th edition of the FIFA Congress approved a rule change that now allows players to switch if they have played no more than three competitive matches at senior level prior to them turning 21 including no appearances in FIFA World Cup finals matches or continental finals (e.g. the UEFA European Championship). However, appearing in a tournament qualifier would not.

Furthermore, players who played for their home country but not at senior level, who were under 21 at the time and have since lived in a new country for five years or more can apply for the right to represent their new place of residence.

This also applies to players that began living on the territory before the age of 10 for at least three years.

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The Spanish-born of Ghanaian descent revealed he has been watching the 37-year-old since he was a kid and wants to be a prolific striker like the ex-Sunderland star.

Nico Williams, who is the younger brother of new Ghana recruit, Inaki Willimas, was in the country for the summer holidays but has returned to Spain to begin preparations ahead of the new season.

“When I was six years old, I loved Asamoah Gyan. He is the best striker [I have seen]. He scored a lot of goals,” he said in an interview with 3Sports.

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“I watched a lot of his matches and try to transmit his style to my football. I practiced to be like him and try to score goals like him,” he added.

The budding forward enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Rojiblancos in La Liga last season, playing 36 games for the Basque-based club.

The 20-year-old remains eligible to play for Ghana despite playing five games for Spain’s U21.