Nico Williams is one of the most promising wingers in European soccer. At 23 years old, he combines speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability. However, his career has been halted by an invisible enemy: muscle injuries.
The latest one came in the match between Spain and Türkiye; barely half an hour had passed when he had to request a substitution. Once again, and it's not the first or the second time. In the past year, he has suffered a series of physical problems that have prevented him from reaching the consistency a player of his level needs.
Last season, an ordeal
The previous campaign was a contrast of feelings. On one hand, Nico excelled at the European Championship, attracting the interest of major clubs. On the other, at Athletic Club, he suffered continuous interruptions and missed almost half of the official matches. Between rehabilitation and relapses, he was never able to keep his best form for several consecutive weeks.
Even so, the team achieved one of its major goals: returning to the Champions League more than a decade later. They also came close to the Europa League final, losing in a controversial match against Manchester United. But the general feeling is that Nico could have contributed much more if his health had been on his side.
A signing that never happened at Barça
FC Barcelona had him on its radar. Deco considered him one of the pieces that could fit into the new project. However, Hansi Flick, newly arrived on the bench, was clear: he didn't want to take the risk of betting heavily on a footballer so prone to injury.
Instead, the club looked for alternatives. Rashford and Rooney were the names that came up. Two players of great quality, with experience at the top level and, above all, with a more reliable physical record. For Barça, which can't afford failed signings, the decision was logical.
Loyalty to Athletic and a record contract
Nico chose to stay at San Mamés. He signed a contract until 2035, with a release clause close to €100 million. The fans celebrated his commitment, and Valverde pointed to him as the main attacking reference for the season.
But the story repeats itself. Barely into the campaign, another injury has sidelined him. At the club, they no longer see it as simple bad luck; some believe it could be a genetic predisposition to muscle problems. They also ask him to make changes to his training routines and personal care.