Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Athletic Bilbao, La Liga, Espanyol
Jack Kenmare
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.
.jpg)
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.
Advert
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.
Advert
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.
Advert
"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."