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
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • 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.

LINE-UP I Here are the 1️⃣1️⃣ Lions taking on @RCDEspanyol_EN at San Mamés today 👇#AthleticEspanyol #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/lOmXzOVO1Y

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) September 4, 2022

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.

I believe Ghana Black Stars are in safe hands. What a strike from Inaki Williams. #BlackStars #Ghana #GhanaSoccerNet pic.twitter.com/Ot1jIguoQS

— Reed Moyer (@reed_moyer) August 29, 2022

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 on his ‘big brother’ France teammate, biggest influence and the discipline that defines himGetty Images'He battered me for it' - Lionel Messi's shirt ended up with ex England star Jack Wilshere after teammate assistGettyThree England stars disagree on the one player from another nation who England needGetty & SPORTbibleTommy Fury disagrees with Tyson's 'no choice' claim as he reveals why he doesn't want his children to boxGetty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
22 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    2 mins ago

    FIFA will reportedly allow banned nation to return to international tournament this year

    All member associations have been invited by FIFA to the tournament.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    22 mins ago

    France World Cup winner now lives very different life after retiring from football aged 31

    He lifted the 1998 World Cup with France.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Liverpool 'closing in' on second summer signing you've probably never heard of

    Andoni Iraola looks set to sign another exciting La Liga player as part of his summer overhaul at Anfield.

    Football
  • FOX Sports
    3 hours ago

    Thierry Henry brilliantly breaks down why Lionel Messi always scores from 'Zone 14'

    Not many pundits can provide analysis like this. Superb.

    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
  • La Liga Cut Live Broadcast of Game After Seeing What Players Did at Kick-Off
  • BREAKING: Inaki Williams run of 251 consecutive La Liga games comes to an end