Written 1 Aug 2024
Nico and Iñaki Willams, two names synonymous with La Liga excellence and recently a Euro 2024 winner. Before I continue to list their great achievements, let's talk a walk down memory lane.
In the 1990s, a couple named Felix Williams and Maria Arthuer from Ghana decided they wanted a better life, and began their journey to Spain. They set out and walked endlessly across the burning Sahara desert barefoot and in extreme conditions. To this day Felix’s soles cause him problems. Eventually, they crossed over the Spanish borders in Melilla and whilst this was a great victory for them, the legality of their immigration soon became an issue.
However, a lawyer strongly advised them to switch to a war torn nationality to which they ripped up their Ghanaian documents, and said they were from Liberia. During this time, Maria Arthuer was pregnant with Iñaki, and the lawyer connected them with a catholic priest from Bilbao who they met at Abando railway station, and arranged their apartment for them. This help was greatly appreciated and they named their first child Iñaki in honour of the priest Inaki Mardones.
Felix and Maria would continue to work hard for the future of their children, and Felix began working in London to earn more. He began his job, and would man the turnstiles at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, a club that now has eyes on his son Nico Williams during this transfer window.
As years passed, Iñaki williams’ talent was spotted by the Athletic club whilst playing for his local club, and joined their youth setup. Between 2012 and 2014, Iñaki was alternating between the farm team Basconia and the reserve team of Bilbao Athletic, and made serious impressions with numerous goals in many games.
In December 2014, he finally made his debut for the first team and demonstrated his sheer talent and style of play. 2 years later he would be scouted by the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City, but continued with the Athletic club for 3 more years.
In January 2019, he was named La Liga player of the month, and signed a nine year contract with his club. In 2022, he made his world cup debut with the Ghana national team.
On the other side, Nico Williams also joined Athletic Bilbao’s youth academy in 2013. One can assume he was really inspired by his brother as his football journey is similar to Iñaki’s. Nico also played for the farm team Basconia and then went to the reserve team of Athletic Bilbao in 2020 joining his brother, and making his La Liga debut. In January 2022, he scored the winning goal promoting the team to the finals of the 2022 Supercopa de España. A week later he signed the first team contract.
His time at Athletic club was smooth sailing until they were knocked out of the 2022-23 Copa del Rey semi-finals, and Nico missed 2 potential chances of scoring. This was followed by extreme racial abuse by fans hurled towards Nico online, to which he deactivated his social media accounts.
Fast forward to 2024 he was chosen to officially be in the Spanish squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 where he showcased his quick thinking, pace, and assists on the pitch. He scored the opening goal in the finals and was awarded player of the match.
This is truly an inspiring, resilient story and showcases the real ‘from zero to hero trope’, and who better to show it than the Williams family.
