Nico Williams grateful to 'responsible' parents

2026-03-05 - 00:05

Nico Williams has credited his parents for providing unwavering support throughout his life, revealing that their sacrifices ensured he never went without—even as they built a new life from scratch after an arduous journey from Ghana to Europe. Speaking to FourFourTwo, the 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger opened up about the values instilled in him by his family's remarkable story. "From a young age, I learnt what suffering is. I learned how to share values that other people don't have. Thanks to my parents, I have them. I've never lacked anything because they've always been there for me", he said. The Williams family's journey began with his parents crossing 2,000 miles of the Sahara Desert—often barefoot and in extreme heat—to reach the Spanish exclave of Melilla. After being detained, they eventually made their way to Bilbao, where they received support from a local man. Within months, Nico's older brother Iñaki was born. Their father later worked in London, including a stint as a maintenance electrician at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, as the family continued to build their new life. Now both brothers are stars at Athletic Bilbao, with Nico also a European champion with Spain after helping La Roja win Euro 2024. Through it all, he says his parents' presence and sacrifice have been the constant foundation. "I've never lacked anything because they've always been there for me." Send your news stories to [email protected] and via WhatsApp on +233 546310076.