Spain coach, Luis Enrique, has revealed the reason for calling up Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams ahead of the UEFA Nations League games with Portugal and Switzerland.
La Roja of Spain will play Switzerland at La Romerada, Spain on September 24 and they will face Portugal at Estadio Municipal de Braga, Portugal on September 27.
Williams, 20, who was born in Pamplona, Spain, to Ghanaian parents, was invited for Spain’s upcoming games. Coincidentally, his older brother, Inaki Williams, recently switched allegiance to Ghana ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after representing Spain at the U-21 level and playing one game for the La Roja at the senior level and two games for Basque Country.
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Enrique maintains that he didn’t invite Nico Williams to the Spanish team because of Ghana.
Nico Williams in action for Spain U21s
“I’m not doing this to stop him going with Ghana, he’s young and a very interesting player,” The Guardian quoted Enrique as saying.
“He’s playing more often with Atletico (Bilbao) now. He’s progressing wonderfully, I like him enormously. We’ve had him in the junior squad and have been following him for a long time.
“I reckon the family will be delighted, imagine the party if they both go to the World Cup. And they reach the final, that would be the absolute business.”
Nico Williams has scored two goals and recorded one assist from six Laliga games for Atletic Bilbao so far this season.
Ghana are in Group H at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea while Spain are in Group E alongside Costa Rica, Germany, and Japan.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place between November 20 and December 18.
By Toju Sote
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COMMENTS
He should follow suit just like his brother and represent Ghana.