Mueez Ajao
– Athletic Bilbao star striker Inaki Williams has announced that he will play for Ghana’s Black Stars.
– Williams announced on his social media pages on Tuesday, sharing a video in which he stated that “he will defend Ghana’s T-shirt.”
– “Every step we take forward has its own meaning. An evolution. A glance into the future which leaves a trace itself. A legacy. My parents have raised me with values based on humility, respect and love,” he said.
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– “They have taught me to embrace life. In that constant quest to continue growing and working upon the pursuit of evolving personally and professionally as an individual.”
– “That’s why I feel the moment has come for me to find my origins within myself and with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family. I want to return a small part of everything it has given to us because Ghana has played a significant part of becoming who I am as a person, as a son and as a brother.”
– “Today a new challenge begins. From now on, I will defend Ghana’s T-shirt with all my will whilst I give my best. I’m one of the Black Stars.”
🇬🇭🖤 @ghanafaofficial pic.twitter.com/t5cSzOcIfB
— IÑAKI WILLIAMS (@Williaaams45) July 5, 2022
– The Ghana Football Association has endorsed the player’s decision.
🇬🇭 | IT'S ABOUT TIME
– Welcome to the Black Stars, Iñaki Williams @Williaaams45 #BlackStars | #BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/hFoq9bBm1I
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) July 5, 2022
Let’s do this Inaki, Welcome. 🇬🇭👊🏾#BringBackTheLove https://t.co/fMaGKigEbp
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) July 5, 2022
Welcome Home 🇬🇭 🙏🏼 https://t.co/ypvNSkzf4j
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) July 5, 2022
– Williams is now available for future Black Stars call-ups. This is a huge boost for the Black Stars technical team, headed by coach Otto Addo, ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
– Williams represented Spain, but it was only in a friendly, so his availability for Ghana was never in doubt.
– However, Williams’ younger brother Nico Williams, who also plays for Athletic Bilbao, has yet to commit to playing for Ghana. The attacker is a member of Spain’s U-21 national team.
– The two recently visited Ghana to get to know their roots and also to meet with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
– Inaki, the eldest of the brothers, did not hide his pride in his roots, as he showed in a post on social media. “My ancestors, my blood,” wrote the forward.
– Williams is expected to be named in the Ghana squad for the World Cup, with Black Stars facing Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in the group stage.
