Spain’s Nico Williams has won rave reviews for his performances at Euro 2024 – but no more so than his brother Inaki.
The Athletic Bilbao duo enjoyed a historic season at club level, but only one of the brothers was eligible to play in Germany this summer.
The brothers helped end their club’s 40-year wait for a trophy to win the Copa del Rey in April before Nico linked up with the Spain side.
The 21-year-old has already won many new fans for his performances at the tournament – but his biggest supporter remains his older brother, Ghana international Inaki.
Why do Inaki and Nico Williams play for different countries?
The Williams brothers were born in Spain to Ghanaian parents who made a treacherous journey to Europe in search of a better life.
They settled in the Basque Country region and Inaki was born shortly after their arrival in 1994 with Nikos arriving eight years later in 2002.
Both players would end up in Athletic Bilbao’s academy and have been team-mates since Nico stepped up to the first team in 2021.
However, on the international stage, the pair play for different countries, with both included in their respective nations’ squads for the 2022 World Cup.
Inaki played for Spain at youth level before struggling to earn a senior call-up despite his form in La Liga and before the Qatar tournament he decided to switch allegiances.
The striker has accepted an offer to switch nationalities to represent his parents’ homeland of Ghana.
Speaking to BBCsaid the 30-year-old: “It was not an easy decision to make.
“I had to consult my family and loved ones, because the decision would affect me in the next years of my career – not only in sporting terms but also on a personal level.
“I told my grandfather, who told me it would be a dream to see me in the national team shirt. He is 90. He said he doesn’t have long to live, but he would like to see me play in the World Cup with the national team.
“When he said those words to me, I didn’t have to think anymore.”
Unlike Inaki, Nico received his first senior call-up in September 2022 after playing for Spain at youth level.
The youngster has since established himself as a regular in La Roja’s starting line-up, earning man of the match in the 1-0 win over Italy.
Inaki led the praise after the game, writing on social media: “Pure cinema Junior. Starboy.”
Nico later revealed that his brother also sent him a personal message “just [he] entered the dressing room.”
Explain to Cadena SER: “First I was applauded by my teammates, the truth is that I am very happy.
“And as soon as I picked up my phone from a text from him, he sent me a voicemail and the truth is, he told me that I’ve taken the Williams surname around the world of football.”