In order to witness his brother, Nico, in the final, the star is planning to shorten his particular holiday.
Nico Williams of Spain will dedicate tomorrow’s Euro victory to his father, who used to work the turnstiles at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
One of the breakout stars of the competition, the Athletic Bilbao winger attributes his success to his parents Felix and Maria, who came to Spain as refugees in 1994.
Nico Williams has become at Spanish hero at Euro 2024Credit: Getty
Williams has said he will dedicate a Spain win to his fatherCredit: Getty
Nico, left, is the brother of Athletic Bilbao team-mate InakiCredit: Getty
Their father, Felix, used to man the turnstiles at Stamford BridgeCredit: RexNico, who turned 22 yesterday, grew up with big brother as his primary role model and paternal guide because Felix was gone for ten years.
“I’m young and make a lot of mistakes and Inaki is always on top of me giving me advice about football and life,” the Spain winger said this week on Spanish radio station Cope.
When Nico was eight years old, he was inspired by Spain’s World Cup victory in 2010 and tried to imitate his idols by kicking a ball against a wall in the Rochapea neighbourhood.
Nico quickly shown that he was even more talented than his brother as they were playing outside on the street.
10Williams has contributed to two goals at Euro 2024Credit: EPA
10Nico and Inaki with mum, MariaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/williaaaams11/?hl=en
Although Inaki — who represents Ghana — recently revealed that on rainy days indoors on the PlayStation there was only one winner.
He told Madrid-based sports website Relevo: “I had to unplug him he was so bad. He could barely hold the controls properly.”
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Nico has improved considerably since then and admitted to spending six hours a day on EA Sports’ FC 24 during the tournament.
Local club Osasuna wanted to sign the young Nico but in 2012 Athletic Bilbao swooped for his sibling and a year later they took him too.
It meant being at the same club as Inaki who guided him through the youth ranks all the way to the first team.
Villarreal coach Marcelino, who gave Nico his debut at Bilbao in 2021, said: “Inaki is like a father to Nico because he had to go through all the same things before his brother.
“Nico couldn’t have a better role model.”
That guidance has also helped him deal with the scourge of racist abuse when it has come his way in Spain.
Although he experienced racial abuse at the Metropolitano Stadium of Atletico Madrid during the previous season, there is new hope that the issue is finally being addressed.
When Real Madrid played Valencia in May 2023, three individuals were found guilty of racist abuse of Vinicius Jr. and received two-year stadium bans in addition to eight months in prison.
In all of Spain, it was the first instance of racial abuse at a football stadium being found guilty.
This week, Nico declared, “There will be a before and after.” When someone offends you and gets away with it, more people will feel inspired to do the same.
People may now see that the legislation will address it and take it seriously.
Ultimately, you need to build relationships with individuals and use reason to win them over. Perhaps they are ignorant of African culture.
The family settled in Pamplona, with Nico born there in July 2002Credit: Instagram @williaaaams11
Now newly-married Inaki is trying to cut his honeymoon short to watch Nico in the Euro 2024 finalCredit: Getty
“I believe that teaching them and allowing them to explore the world will transform many people’s mindsets.”
Williams has a £49 million release clause, but his performances for Spain have alerted all of Europe to his presence.
He has informed his agency that until the tournament concludes tomorrow, he does not want to hear anything regarding his future.
Williams is anticipated to play one more season in order to accomplish his aim of playing for Athletic in the Europa League the following year.
Removing him from the Basque region, where his parents settled 22 years ago, will be a difficult task.
They’ll play England in the championship game. Thirty-year-old brother Inaki will also be there.
Nico was married at the beginning of June, and his Spain coach Luis de la Fuente gave him permission to skip the Euro 2024 preparations in order to attend the wedding.
At this point, Inaki is asking to interrupt his honeymoon with Patricia in order to watch his brother compete in the greatest game of his life.