Iñaki Williams’s parents came to Spain the hard way. They crossed the Sahara on foot and climbed the border fence at Melilla, the Spanish enclave in North Africa. Their son grew up to captain one of Spain’s most famous football clubs.
Born in Bilbao
Iñaki Williams Arthuer was born on 15 June 1994 in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, to Ghanaian parents. He spent most of his childhood in Pamplona, where the family lived in modest circumstances.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao is unique in top-level football: it traditionally fields only players born or raised in the Basque region or trained in Basque academies. Williams came through the club’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2014.
He became a fan favourite for his pace, work rate and loyalty, and he went on to captain the club.
The record
Williams played 251 consecutive La Liga matches for Athletic, a record for the competition. The streak, which lasted more than six years, showed extraordinary fitness and consistency. Remarkably, he later revealed that he had played part of that time with a piece of glass lodged in his foot.
Spain, then Ghana
Williams played once for Spain’s national team in 2016. In 2022, he switched to represent Ghana, the country of his parents. He played for the Black Stars at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nico
His younger brother, Nico Williams, also plays for Athletic Bilbao but chose Spain. Nico became a star for Spain and helped them win Euro 2024. The brothers represent different countries but share a club and a family story.
The family
Iñaki has spoken often about his parents’ sacrifices, and about how he helped support the family, including his younger brother, when their father was working abroad.
His style
Williams is known for his speed, strength and relentless running. He can play on the wing or through the middle, and he presses defenders from the first minute to the last.
Racism
Williams has faced racist abuse from some fans in Spain and has spoken out about it, becoming a leading voice against racism in Spanish football.
Two flags, one story
Two sons of Ghanaian migrants are now among the best-known footballers in Spain, one wearing Ghana’s shirt and one Spain’s. Their parents’ walk across the desert is part of both countries’ football story.
