Nico Williams was not even a teenager when Athletic Bilbao realized that he would become a big star.
“When he was a child, he was different,” Andoni Bombin, the former scout of Athletic and head of methodology, tells Sky Sports. “Even when he was in the U12's, everyone always thought he was one of the club's next stars.”
It certainly flourished, but perhaps on a larger scale than first predicted. Williams is not only the most important jewel of Athletic, but also a national hero for Spain. England discovered that in the Euro 2024 final, where Williams scored the first goal of La Roja in Berlin.
That is perhaps the pinnacle of a promising and thriving career so far. Williams is not even 23 and has a euro title to his name, plus the cult hero status of helping a Copa del Rey for athletics after a 40-year waiting time for a trophy.
Although with the chance to continue the dream to deliver a Europa League title for Athletic with the final in Bilbao, Plus Premier League interest that is coming this summer, there can be many more moments.
Bombin was in charge of promoting the best talents of Athletic through their youth structure and played a crucial role in moving Williams by the age groups.
Arriving from Osasuna as a U11S player, he was immediately placed a age group higher. When he was 16, he played with the U19s. Two years later he played for Basconia, the third team of Athletic, prior to schedule. His athletic debut in the first team would come the following season.
“Even when he was in the U18s, he had the personality to play, the personality to perform in that category that is not easy,” Bombin adds.
“So all of us, we had the same opinion about him: that he will be a player at the highest level.”
There was also a huge motivation that Williams ran and that was the dream to imitate his brother, Inaki.
Eight years Senior of Nico, Inaki broke through in the first team of Athletic ten years ago and has since become an icon in the club, which is closed at 500 performances.
Inaki has 'Williams' on the back of his shirt, while Nico accepts 'Williams JR' respect for his brother, but also the father-son-like dynamics between the two.
And the brothers dominate the athletic wings. This season they are side by side in the most important attack statistics as dangerous points of sale. Nico Links, Inaki on the right – although they sometimes exchange as children playing in the playground.
However, the dream of that partnership started in the Athletic Academy, where Nico looked at his older brother in the first team.
“For Nico, the reference had to be his brother – to try to get his level and when he got there, to try to be better than it,” says Bombin.
“And now, if you ask the Inaki, I think he will say the same thing: Nico is more complete than he.
“If they are both at the same level, I would of course play both. But if I have to choose between them, I think Nico. Because I think he is better than Inaki in the one-versus one situations, but it's just a small difference.”
However, it has not been a simple story for the Williams brothers in Bilbao. The documentary that was released about them last year, Los Williams, revealed negative perceptions of standing out.
The recruitment structure of Athletic of the use of exclusively players brought by the Basque Land has led to a mainly white demography in their team over generations. More ethnic minority players have emerged, but Athletic became the last Laliga club to play a black player in 2011. Inaki then became Athletic's first black goal scorer in 2015.
The Williams brothers were raised in the Basque Country after their parents left Ghana in search of a better life. Athletic fans have always taken the couple as two of them. But the color of their skin in the context of that demography became a target for rival fans, who received treatment that does not differ from the recent racism struggles of Real Madrid -wing player Vinicius JR in football.
For Nico, who saw how his brother was abused when he first broke through, Athletic wanted to emphasize that his younger brother had a home.
“We always say the same thing: the feeling of connectedness is one of the keys to the Athletic Club project,” says Bombin.
“Giving all Academy players, this feeling of connectedness makes them better players. If you connect it with your skills, you can move forward as quickly as possible if you can.
“And Nico understood that perfect. So this makes him:” Okay, I'm Athletic Club. This is my club. I want to become an athletic club football player. “
That became important last summer for both player and club, when Barcelona held an approach to sign Nico. The player had the choice, but chose to stay – partly because of the connection he had with Athletic and how to switch to a historic, direct rival would be observed.
“I think it was really useful to have his brother in his life, because he perfectly understands what this club means by Inaki,” says Bombin.
“So this would be a perfect combination to get what you want. And now I think it's a good example: Nico Williams is in the first team and he doesn't think where he could go in the future.
“He just enjoys what he does, enjoy the club, winning titles and just being happy where he plays.”
The waves of the Transfersaga also came across this season, with the young wing player slowly started the campaign. The emotional summer of Spain's success had an impact, but it is also suggested that Barcelona's aggressive striving for the 22-year-old did that too.
He has nine goals this season, but there are seven since the beginning of the year – even though he is relatively injury -free this period. He is on a rich vein of shape while preparing for Rangers in the quarterfinals of the Europa League, his double in the last-16 comeback victory on Roma indicates that he is now about his seasonal problems.
And athletics – and possibly the player – Resolve will be tested again this summer, with more attention attention. Sky Sports News understands that Arsenal has a great interest in the winger, where Barcelona will probably revive their long -term approach.
So will a player be married to athletic and Spanish football able to cut it into the Premier League?
“The Premier League plays very quickly with the direct attacks, long balls, which always have a lot of one-versus one situation, counter-attacking options,” says Bombin.
“I think he will be prepared if this happens in the future because his characteristics, I think, are the best for that kind of football.”