My dad worked as an electrician at Stamford Bridge. I've never lacked anything because my parents have always been there for me' Nico Williams on his father's Chelsea background

"Nico was born in Bilbao in 2002, eight years after his brother Inaki, but only after their parents had made a gruelling trek to the Basque Country from their native Ghana. The brothers' parents travelled as refugees seeking a better life, which saw them travel 2,000-miles across the Sahara desert to Melilla, a Spanish exclave on Morocco's northern coast."

"This was a journey made in extreme heat, often barefoot, with not all those who set off making it to their final destination. Upon reaching the Spanish territory, the Williams parents climbed the Melilla border fence and were initially detained. A lawyer would tell the authorities that they were from war-torn Liberia and were subsequently allowed to remain."

"The 23-year-old winger broke into the Athletic Bilbao first team in 2021 and made his Spain debut a year later. His first senior trophy came when his club side won the Copa del Rey in 2024 and he was a part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 later that summer."

Nico Williams, a 23-year-old winger for Athletic Bilbao and Spain Euro 2024 champion, owes his success to his parents' extraordinary sacrifices. Born in Bilbao in 2002, eight years after his brother Inaki, Nico's family journey began in Ghana. His parents traveled 2,000 miles across the Sahara Desert as refugees seeking better opportunities, reaching Melilla, a Spanish exclave on Morocco's coast. The treacherous journey involved extreme heat and barefoot travel, with some travelers not surviving. Upon arrival, they crossed the Melilla border fence and were initially detained. A lawyer helped them by claiming they were from war-torn Liberia, allowing them to remain. With legal assistance and connections to Bilbao, the family relocated, where they established their new life and raised their sons who became professional footballers.

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