Niko Williams: The Rising Star of Spain – A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Euro Stardom

Niko Williams – the new star of Spain. How did he live before Euro? When the As reporter entered the Williams’ house, he was first met by Iñaki, the older of the footballer brothers from Athletic Club. He was married, but instead of a honeymoon, he planned to watch the Euro.

• Niko is going to the Euro. Are you worried?
• Of course, we are family. My brother deserved the call-up, and I am his biggest fan, haha.

Match against Italy. Niko Williams tears up the left flank, dribbles past Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and becomes the player of the match. Iñaki enthusiastically writes: “The younger one, pure cinema. This is incredible.”

Niko went to the press conference – and admitted: “This guy is pretending. He already brought me down to earth. Scolded me. You know, I don’t like flattery. I am a modest person.”

Niko is cool, just like his story. Sorry, humble guy. The brothers’ father worked at the Chelsea stadium, and their mother could call and scold them over a dispute in a match. Williams’ younger brother was born in July 2002 in Pamplona. He is the second son in the family of Felix and Maria, migrants from Ghana. The country was in an economic crisis, people were living in hunger and trying to survive disasters as best they could. You have probably heard this story: the brothers’ parents crossed the Sahara desert. Maria was pregnant with Iñaki. Felix no longer feels his feet. When the Williams’ parents reached Melilla and climbed over the fence, they were detained. Then they were lucky: a lawyer came, told them to tear up their Ghanaian documents and claim they were fleeing the war in Liberia. Felix and Maria were registered as refugees and sent to Bilbao, where they were taken in by local priest Iñaki Mardones.

The priest assisted in the birth. The eldest son was named in his honor. Iñaki never forgets what their parents went through: “It makes me stronger. They made such a journey so that my brother and I could drink water, go to school, eat every day. They didn’t have that.”

Niko grew up in Spain, when the family was not as poor, but he also understands the situation: “I can’t describe in words how grateful I am to my parents. They broke their backs for us. Now the family doesn’t deny themselves anything. That’s what my brother and I are obligated to do. Our achievements are our parents’ achievements.”

The Williams’ problems did not end in the Sahara. When Maria became pregnant for the second time, the family had to move out from the priest’s residence. They rented a house in Pamplona, but money was tight, and there was no work in Bilbao. Then Felix took a desperate step: he went to London and soon found a job as a turnstile operator at Stamford Bridge. Such a strange connection with Chelsea, right! Iñaki was just taking his first steps in football, so Maria took on the responsibility of raising the sons. Niko is mama’s boy: “Mom will always be my guide,” admits the younger one. “Mom is the law. She came to Spain in search of food and a roof over our heads, suffered a lot and cried, but fought for us. Everything I do is dedicated to her.”

A heartwarming story from March: Niko and Iñaki argued after the match with Alavés, the elder brother scolded the younger one in front of the cameras. Niko passed too little to his teammates. Their mother watched the match, called them both a few minutes later, and scolded them for their behavior. “She said such things should not happen in front of the fans. We are professionals. We continued in the dressing room, soon forgot about it, but the call from mom in Ghana… Honestly, I felt like a schoolboy again,” Niko laughed.

“Darn, that’s how it always is,” Iñaki’s emotions. “Who else to argue with if not your own brother?” Niko did not move to Aston Villa because of the older brother’s ban. He listens so well. When Dad Felix went to London, Iñaki was asked to look after Niko. The elder brother took the request seriously. He trained at the Athletic Club academy, but after training, he didn’t hang out with his peers, he flew home. to look after the younger one until Maria came home from work. Iñaki never complained. Sometimes he took Niko to training.

This continued until Iñaki signed a contract with Athletic Club. At his initiative, the brother went for a trial at the age of 10, but did not impress. The younger Williams also dreamed of playing football, just like his brother. Mom insisted on education, but in the end gave in – and went to the Osasuna academy. As a result, Niko was accepted, and a year later, people from Athletic Club looked at him, scratched their heads, not understanding how they could have missed such talent, and reunited the family.

“Iñaki is Niko’s hero, his main example,” recalls Athletic Club’s sporting director Mikel Gonzalez. “They had a tough childhood. Iñaki understands all the responsibility for the younger one. He became Niko’s superhero, just like mom. Iñaki had a hard time during that period, but it became easier when they reunited with his brother. When you play for your relatives, you must always give your all.” In 2013, Dad Felix returned. Iñaki was already part of the first team, and things became easier with money. The brothers saw each other less often, but they did not lose touch. “I have always been proud that we are connected. I boasted to my friends,” recalls Niko. “Iñaki opened the door to life for me. His example helps me, as well as many foreigners who went to Bilbao for a dream. My brother is my light.” Niko has grown up, but Iñaki remains his guide. Brother, friend, family, and career advisor. If something happens, Niko has to go to Iñaki for advice. If Iñaki is against something, the younger one agrees and does not argue.

For example, last summer, Aston Villa came for Niko. Unai Emery himself came to Madrid to see him. The player was impressed by the coach’s pressure, and the coach vividly outlined the prospects. Emery dreamed of seeing Niko in the team, and Villa planned to pay a €50 million buyout clause. Williams asked for time. But Iñaki imposed a veto on the move – no England at all. If leaving Athletic Club, then only to Real Madrid or Barcelona. Niko sulked. But he listened and politely turned down the offer.

“Brother helps Niko in everything,” says sporting director Gonzalez. “Niko is a very young player, but extremely good. You can imagine how many news stories there are around his game, the interest of the top clubs. Agents are trying to lure him, but there is Iñaki. He knows what is best for his brother’s career.” Niko flourished at Athletic Club under Ernesto Valverde: switched flanks and became a bright dribbler Another important person in Williams’ life is Ernesto Valverde, the coach of Athletic Club. Niko made his debut under Marcelino, but it was Valverde who brought the winger to the top. In the first season at the senior level, Niko played on the right flank and rarely dribbled, focusing more on crossing into the box. Marcelino’s system did not bring out the qualities of the younger Williams. As a result, there were no productive actions in a full season. Everything changed with Valverde’s arrival. Firstly, Niko became a crucial player at Athletic Club. Secondly, he switched to the left flank, with Iñaki replacing him on the right. Niko was given space. “He is a fantastic player who could become our legend,” believes Ernesto. “The main thing a coach should do is trust. I believe in Niko. However, if he stops giving his all, his brother will scold him – and he will do it even better than me.” Niko started receiving the ball more often and blossomed. Williams is a bright dribbler, one of the best in Spain in playing in space. Only Vinicius is clearly stronger than him. Niko can play on either flank, but he is more comfortable on the left: shifts to the center under his right foot are encouraged, but his left foot is also in order. Niko has provided 11 assists this season – and a significant portion to Iñaki, who rushes into the box from the right flank. “We understand each other perfectly,” Niko said. “I just know where he is at every moment. I just need to deliver the ball to Iñaki. Maybe I just sense him.” “Niko is capable of playing on both flanks. He is good at one-on-one play,” even Xavi admired. “Fast, with a good shot. It’s hard to stop him when there is space. I like this profile. An excellent player who would strengthen any club.” “I think it was Valverde who allowed me to make a leap. He pays attention to me. Sometimes even too much. The coach directs me and always watches over me. It’s scary when someone closely monitors every move of yours. I hope he stays at Athletic Club for a long time, and I will overcome this feeling,” says Niko’s verdict.

Niko – the dream of Barcelona and Chelsea. Todd Bowley recalls his father’s story at Stamford Bridge, and Barcelona fans don’t hesitate to shout to Laporte, “Bring us Niko!”

“Am I leaving? Sorry, but I recently renewed my contract with Athletic Club,” says Niko. “It’s strange to hear such questions because I am standing before you, beaming with happiness, representing Athletic Club to the world.”

But for now, younger Williams is one of the main stars of Euro. He tore apart Italy in front of everyone. Poor Giovanni Di Lorenzo was almost unconscious when Niko was taken off the field.