As Athletic Bilbao stand on the precipice of ending a 40-year Copa del Rey drought, one name shines brighter than the rest: Inaki Williams.
In the annals of football history, few players have left as indelible a mark on their club as the dynamic forward has on Athletic Bilbao.
From his humble beginnings to becoming the first black player to establish himself at San Mames, Inaki has not only broken records but shattered stereotypes along the way.
At just 29 years old, Inaki’s list of accolades is impressive: from setting a new La Liga record of appearing in 251 consecutive league matches to pioneering the inclusion of Black players in Athletic Bilbao’s ranks. His unwavering commitment to the Basque cause and his hometown club has endeared him to fans and earned him the status of a legend.
But for all his individual achievements, there remains one elusive prize—the Copa del Rey. Since 1984, Athletic Bilbao has yearned to reclaim the glory of their past triumphs, and on Saturday, they have a chance to do just that.
As Inaki and his brother, Nico, prepare to take the field in Seville, the significance of the moment is not lost on anyone. The 60,000-capacity Estadio de La Cartuja is expected to be packed as fans will make the pilgrimage to witness history in the making, with the hope that Athletic will return with the coveted trophy in hand.
There is a prevailing belief that, given Mallorca’s current position at 15th in La Liga, this represents Athletic’s prime opportunity to finally break their lengthy spell without major silverware.
The Williams brothers, strategically positioned on either side of the front three, have played pivotal roles throughout this cup run. Following Ghana’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, Inaki promptly made his way back to Bilbao, arriving at 11 am on the day of the quarter-final against Barcelona.
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That evening, he made a significant impact coming off the bench, scoring in extra time before assisting Nico in a 4-2 victory. Their synergy continued in the semifinal second-leg triumph over Atletico Madrid, where they once again assisted each other. The euphoria at San Mames, fondly known as ‘the Cathedral,’ was palpable.
While speculation persists about potential moves away from San Mames for both Inaki and Nico, for the time being, they remain committed to their hometown club. However, their shared objective remains clear: to secure victory in the cup final—for the loyal fans, the city of Bilbao, the club, and above all, for their parents, Felix and Maria.
“It’s a dream we’ve had since childhood. We’ve grown up playing together, we’re still playing together and now we have the chance to play the first cup final together.
Reflecting on past disappointments, particularly in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons they fell short in the final stages losing to Real Sociedad and Barcelona respectively.
Williams and his teammates are therefore determined to rewrite history this time by overcoming RCD Mallorca and ending the 40-year-old drought.
“Things didn’t go the way we all wanted last year. Once again we can enjoy a final. We don’t want to imagine, we want to do it,” Inaki stated.
Their mission will not be considered complete until the final whistle blows and the confetti descends, marking a historic triumph for Athletic Bilbao.
For Inaki Williams, this match represents more than just another opportunity to add silverware to his collection. It’s a chance to etch his name into the annals of Athletic Bilbao’s storied history and cement his legendary status. It’s a chance to honour his parents who have sacrificed so much for their sons.
“I always say, my parents have done so much for us. Everything we do is to give back to them for everything they have done for us. Hopefully we can bring that victory, not only to them but to all the generations of Athleticzales who have not seen an Athletic champion,” Inaki told Mundo Deportivo ahead of the games.
Win or lose, his legacy is secure, but a victory in the Copa del Rey final would elevate Inaki Williams to legendary status, immortalising him in the annals of Athletic Bilbao’s rich history.