Inaki Williams and Nico Williams are brothers currently playing for La Liga’s Athletic Club. They are doing the best for their team which is the finest story of world football.

Elder brother Inaki Williams was born in 1994 in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents, Who travelled across the Shara desert on foot to reach Mellila, A Spanish city in North Africa. Younger brother Nico Williams was born in 2002 in Spain, shortly after his parents arrived there.

Life Was At High Risk:

Both are close to their mother especially, She didn’t tell them the story of arrival until elder Inaki was 20. His mother didn’t tell the story because Inaki that time was 18 only when Inaki started at Athletic. At the age of 18, it would have been a weight on his back.


When Maria and Felix arrived in Pamplona back in 1994, she was pregnant. This added another layer of challenge to their already difficult situation, as they navigated their new life in a new city.

One day she came to Inaki and said “OK. The moment’s come for me to tell you. Sit down, I think you’re ready to hear the story of Papa and me now.”

She told Inaki how they left Ghana without food and water, How, pregnant with him,

She climbed the fence into Melilla, Spain’s north African enclave, And how she and Felix were arrested. A lawyer whose name he still doesn’t know and, to his regret, never will provide a lifeline, a way of reaching the city where Inaki was born. His place, where he has made history.

Maria and Felix relocated to Pamplona City about 150 kilometres southeast of their previous home. They secured housing provided by the state in a neighbourhood described as “humble” and “hardworking,” where people from various backgrounds lived together, each trying to make ends meet in their own way.

During their time in Pamplona, they crossed paths with Iñaki Mardones, a priest who played a significant role in their lives. He became not only a godfather to Williams but also acted as a guardian to Maria and Felix. Clothes for the family were often provided by the church, illustrating the extent of their reliance on community support during this period. Inaki Williams got his name from Iñaki Mardones.

The Father:

Williams’s dad did many different jobs to support his family. He worked as a shepherd, a cleaner on construction sites, and whatever else he could find, even if it wasn’t much. Eventually, he went to London by himself. In London, he worked in a shopping centre near Chelsea. Sometimes, he cleared tables in the food halls, and other times, he worked as a security guard, tearing tickets at Stamford Bridge. These were jobs that nobody else wanted to do.

When this happened, Iñaki was around 10 or 11 years old, and his younger brother Nico was only two or three. Father Felix had been gone for about ten years. Their mother Maria worked multiple jobs whenever there was work available.

With their father busy working to support the family, Iñaki took on a role almost like a father to Nico, taking care of him as best as he could.

Inaki Williams showed his love for Nico when he joined the Athletic Club. It’s so beautiful, Isn’t it? 🫂

Williams Brother’s career:

Inaki Williams made his full debut for the Spain national team in 2016. In 2022, he chose to represent Ghana at international level, being selected for the 2022 World Cup. His younger brother Nico also plays for Athletic Bilbao and Spain.

Recently they both scored for the Athletic Club win over Atletico Madrid 3-0 in the second leg of the semi-final of Copa Del Rey 2024.