Ghanaian international and Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams has launched a scathing attack on FC Barcelona, accusing the Spanish football powerhouse of orchestrating a calculated smear campaign in their failed bid to lure his younger brother, Nico Williams, away from the Basque club.
In a bold and emotional interview with Football España, Inaki Williams claimed that Barcelona’s pursuit of Nico was not only aggressive but also crossed ethical lines, alleging that the Catalan club employed manipulative tactics—including media leaks and false reports—to destabilize both the player and Athletic Club.
“Barcelona’s Actions Did a Lot of Damage”
“We all know how the world of football works,” Inaki began. “They wanted to apply pressure—on Athletic, on my brother. They built a media campaign they thought would work. But it did a lot of damage. Many of the things leaked to the press and on social media were lies.”
The 31-year-old forward, who recently captained Ghana during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, didn’t hold back in outlining what he believes was a deliberate effort by Barcelona to unsettle Nico and disrupt the stability at Athletic Club. He suggested that the strategy was designed to paint Nico as a player pushing for an exit, when in reality, he had already committed to staying.
Barcelona’s interest in the 22-year-old winger had reignited in recent months, following earlier attempts to secure his services last summer. With Nico Williams continuing to impress for both club and country—particularly during Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign—speculation over his future intensified.
Despite public statements from Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirming that the player was “offered” to the club, Nico eventually rejected the move and signed a contract extension that ties him to Athletic Club until 2035.
“Nico Had Already Decided to Stay”
According to Inaki, the extended contract had long been in the works and was not a reaction to the media frenzy. However, he stressed that the complexity of such a long-term agreement meant it couldn’t be rushed.
“My brother had already made the decision to stay,” Inaki said. “But the contract had to be properly drafted. Committing until 2035 is not something that happens overnight. It took time and care, and we couldn’t just make it public immediately.”
Despite the clarity of Nico’s intentions, Inaki believes the misleading stories—many of which suggested that the younger Williams was stalling contract talks or leaning toward a move to Barcelona—created unnecessary chaos.
“The false reports created an illusion that something was happening that wasn’t,” he explained. “It muddied the waters. And it made things much harder than they needed to be.”
Vandalism and Threats Escalated the Situation
Inaki’s most troubling revelation was the extent to which the situation affected the family on a personal level. He disclosed that the controversy spilled over from the media into real life, culminating in acts of intimidation and vandalism.
“They vandalised the mural of my brother—twice,” Inaki recounted. “Then they went to his house and broke one of his car windows. These are things the public may not know, but they take a heavy toll on a young player.”
The mural, a symbol of local pride celebrating Nico’s rise through Athletic Club’s academy, was defaced during the peak of transfer rumours. Inaki suggested that these actions were motivated by the anger or frustration stirred up by the speculative narratives.
“It’s easy for fans to be misled when false stories are circulating,” he added. “But when that turns into aggression and threats, it becomes something else entirely.”
The Emotional Toll on the Williams Family
The elder Williams brother, who has long been a vocal advocate for Athletic Club’s values and has been a pillar of loyalty within the team, said watching his brother endure such emotional stress was incredibly difficult.
“Nico is still young,” he said. “And seeing him suffer while trying to stay loyal to the club he loves—it wasn’t easy for any of us. Especially not for me, wearing the captain’s armband.”
He emphasized that footballers, despite their public image, are not immune to the psychological effects of constant scrutiny and public pressure.
“People forget that these players are human. Sitting at home, it’s easy to comment and speculate, but you don’t see what goes on behind closed doors—the anxiety, the stress, the impact on family.”
A Commitment to Athletic Club and Its Identity
Nico Williams’ decision to extend his stay at San Mamés is being hailed as a major win for Athletic Club, a team known for its unique identity and commitment to homegrown talent. Signing until 2035 represents not only a vote of confidence in the club’s future but also a reaffirmation of the Williams family’s deep ties to Bilbao.
Inaki, who has spent his entire senior career at Athletic, called the decision “a proud moment” and praised the club for handling the negotiations with patience and integrity.
“This isn’t just about football. It’s about belonging. About identity,” he said. “Nico grew up here. The club believed in him. And he believed in the project. That’s something money can’t buy.”
Barcelona Yet to Respond
At the time of publication, FC Barcelona had not issued an official response to Inaki Williams’ claims. The club has previously acknowledged their interest in Nico, but has denied any wrongdoing or underhanded tactics in their recruitment efforts.
The controversy has sparked renewed discussions across Spanish football about the ethical boundaries of transfer pursuits—especially when they involve young players and high-stakes media manipulation.
Looking Ahead
With the transfer saga behind him, Nico Williams is expected to play a key role in Athletic Club’s upcoming La Liga campaign. Meanwhile, Inaki remains focused on both club duties and Ghana’s road to the 2026 World Cup.
But if Inaki’s words are any indication, the Williams brothers are not just determined to make an impact on the pitch—they’re also standing firm against the darker side of modern football’s business.
By Africa Live News Sports Desk
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