sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Inaki Williams features in his 237th consecutive La Liga game for Athletic Bilbao, he is built different
Home>Football
Updated 15:56 4 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 15:38 4 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Inaki Williams features in his 237th consecutive La Liga game for Athletic Bilbao, he is built different

The 28-year-old doesn't miss.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Just days after spraining a ligament in his right ankle, the 'superhuman' Inaki Williams featured in his 237th consecutive La Liga game for Athletic Bilbao this weekend.

The 28-year-old forward was expected to miss his first game in six years against Espanyol on Sunday afternoon.

After scoring the opener in Monday's emphatic 4-0 win over Cadiz, Williams was forced off in the 54th minute with a serious-looking ankle problem.

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Advert

The San Mames side released a statement at full-time. "Athletic Club striker Inaki Williams has sprained a ligament in his right ankle. He will undergo further evaluations and his progress will be monitored over the coming days."

The Bilbao-born forward, who has not missed a game since April 10, 2016, was predicted to end a 236-game streak WWE legend The Undertaker would be proud of.

But not even an ankle ligament injury could stop the 'Iron Lion' from notching another appearance on his record.

After overtaking the previous consecutive appearance record set by Juanan Larranaga, who played 202 games in a row, Martinez will be hoping to stay fit for this winter's World Cup in Qatar.

Williams has made his debut for both Spain and the Basque national team but earlier this year, he switched international allegiance to Ghana, where his parents are from.

The 28-year-old has since made himself available for the competition, where the Black Stars will face Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H.

Williams' story is quite remarkable. Before he was born, his parents, Maria and Felix, left Ghana and walked barefoot across the Sahara desert without food or water to get to Spain.

Felix had told his sons they arrived in Bilbao via plane but eventually, the inspiring truth was revealed.

"My parents are both from Ghana. They are superheroes for me and my brother," Williams told El Hormiguero.

"They left their whole lives behind. I always asked him and my mother how he got to Spain. Since childhood he told me that they arrived by plane.

"My father then told me the real story. My hair stood on end. Knowing that your parents have walked the Sahara desert. My barefoot father saw people die on the road and put them in a prison as war refugees.

"Thanks to the fact that they found good people who helped them, that opened the possibility of reaching Bilbao and that is why I am an Athletic player.

"There are times that you have to believe in destiny."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Espanyol

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Thierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’GettyRonnie O’Sullivan says snooker star can win 'multiple world titles' and gives update on futureGetty'The only thing he can do is now is tar his career...' - Arnold Allen gives damning verdict on Conor McGregor's comebackGetty ImagesGareth Barry on Thomas Tuchel advice, England squad picks and World Cup: 'He’ll be fighting'Getty

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • Getty
    8 hours ago

    Middlesbrough lawyer speaks out after Southampton expelled from Championship play-offs

    Southampton have been kicked out of this season's EFL play-offs, with Middlesbrough reinstated in their place to take on Hull in the final.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Hull City's response to finding out Southampton have been thrown out of play-offs

    Hull City's response to discovering Southampton have been thrown out of the Championship playoffs meaning they will now face Middlesbrough.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Forgotten Aston Villa player on verge of football history after Europa League final win

    Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0 to win the Europa League final.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Southampton lose appeal against EFL play-off expulsion as club issue 'extremely disappointing' statement

    Southampton were initially expelled from the EFL Championship play-off final against Hull City.

    Football
  • Zenit Saint Petersburg ask for their money back after Nico Williams signs new contract with Athletic Bilbao
  • Athletic Bilbao player suspended after testing positive for banned substance after Man Utd game
  • Marcus Rashford achieves feat last done 41 years ago as Barcelona win La Liga
  • Kylian Mbappe’s actions as Real Madrid lost La Liga to Barcelona caught everyone’s attention