Inaki Williams, a forward for Athletic Bilbao, has expressed his joy after playing his first game for Ghana in the 3-0 loss to Brazil.
Inaki made his Black Stars debut in the friendly match at Stade Oceane despite having played for Spain at the youth level.
In the 46th minute of play, the 28-year-old, who just switched teams to play for the West African nation, came on to replace Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Unfortunately for him, Richarlison and Marquinhos, who both scored in the first half, had given Brazil a 3-0 lead over Ghana before Inaki’s introduction.
The second half performance of the Black Stars was enhanced by the additions of Inaki, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, and Antoine Semenyo.
Alisson Becker stopped Inaki’s first shot, and then the Liverpool goalkeeper had to tip his glancing header over the bar. Inaki came close to scoring twice.
What impressions did Inaki Williams have of his debut?
While Nico Williams, Inaki’s brother, was called up to serve with Spain, Inaki agreed to play for Ghana. Inaki has now expressed his joy at having chosen the Black Stars and pledged to aid in their ascent to the top.
“Yeah, it was not a good match because Brazil is a good team. I think the second half Ghana is to be Ghana, this is the line to continue and I am very happy to stay here,” Inaki told 3Sports after his debut as a Ghanaian footballer.
“I am very happy, my parents are very happy, my grandpa is very happy Ghana is jumping to me and I am very very happy. The match is not good but I am going to put everything to put Ghana at the top.”
When the Black Stars play Nicaragua in their second pre-World Cup friendly on Tuesday at Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco, the Bilbao star, who has already scored two La Liga goals this season, will be hoping to make his first Black Stars Start.
Inaki Williams
Inaki Williams Arthuer, a forward for Athletic Bilbao of La Liga and the Ghanaian national team, was born on June 15, 1994.
He was developed at Athletic Bilbao’s youth and has played for the team in over 340 first-team games, including a La Liga record of almost 230 straight contests.
He scored the game-winning goal in the Supercopa de Espaa for 2020 – Williams, a Spaniard by birth, earned his full national team debut in 2016.
He decided to represent Ghana internationally in 2022.
What record does Inaki hold?
Inaki Williams, 28, hasn’t missed a LaLiga game since signing with Athletic Bilbao in 2014. After 6 years, Williams has played 333 times for Bilbao, scoring 74 goals and assisting 44 others.
Juanan Larranaga of Real Sociedad had the record for playing the most consecutive games, 202, between 1986 and 1992, when Williams claimed it.
Williams’ contract has been extended through 2028, and if everything goes according to plan, he might set a record that will be challenging to surpass.
Williams is only the second black football player to play for Athletic after Jonas Ramalho.
