With 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, Spain’s Nico Williams forms the most dangerous wing pair at the European Championship. The Bilbao professional’s family has a moving history.
His hairstyle stands out, his football at this European Championship is hardly less striking – and breathtaking: After his gala performance against Italy, everyone will be looking at left winger Nico Williams at Spain’s next match against Albania on Monday (9 p.m./RTL and MagentaTV) in Düsseldorf. The 21-year-old from Athletic Bilbao has long aroused the interest of top European clubs.
Fellow striker Yamal would like to play with Williams at Barça
Lamine Yamal, with whom Williams forms the most spectacular wing pairing of this tournament, would of course like to see his congenial partner at FC Barcelona: “Hopefully one day I can share the dressing room in Barcelona with Nico Williams,” said the 16-year-old.
Williams himself does not understand the excitement surrounding a possible transfer. “I recently extended my contract with Athletic, I feel very comfortable there. I am very happy,” he told Spanish television station TVE and added: “It feels very strange that you are asking me about my future.” In December, Williams signed in Bilbao until 2027. According to media reports, the release clause is 60 million euros.
The fastest in Spain’s team
His market value is currently continuing to rise: In the 1-0 win against Italy, Williams played a spectacular game and was voted player of the match. When he stormed into the dressing room with his shirt off, King Felipe VI had just shaken hands with all the Spanish professionals standing there obediently and started to give a speech. The team’s applause was initially for Williams.
“I dreamed of moments like this all my childhood,” said the top talent. “Perhaps it was the most complete game I have ever played for the Selección.” In addition to his spectacular dribbling, Williams is also the fastest in the title contender’s strong team so far; according to the European Football Union, his sprints have already been measured at 34.7 kilometers per hour at this European Championship.
Moving family history
Williams dedicated the well-deserved victory to his brother Iñaki and his family: “I hope they enjoy it as much as I do.” Spain’s new star and his family have a turbulent past. His father and his mother Maria, who was pregnant with Iñaki, once fled from Ghana to Europe with people smugglers who left them in the scorching heat of the Sahara. Father Felix suffered serious burns on the soles of his feet.
When the family eventually arrived in Spain, they were granted political asylum and had to survive in poverty for a long time. And even as an adult, Nico’s experiences in Spain were not all positive. In the Primera División, the national player recently had to endure racist insults from spectators. Williams reported that he heard monkey noises before a corner was taken, after a match in April.
Birthday in Germany?
Nicholas, Nico’s real name, was born in Pamplona in 2002. Iñaki, a good eight years older than Nico, was the first to make it into football, but plays internationally for Ghana and took part in the World Cup in Qatar – like his little brother for Spain. Iñaki also plays for Bilbao and always keeps an eye on Nico. He has always been like a father figure to him, because Felix Williams often had to work abroad to support the family.
If Spain is still in the tournament, Nico Williams will celebrate his 22nd birthday on July 12 in Germany, two days before the final. “Of course we want to become European champions,” he says.
Source: Stern
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