Inaki Williams Proud to Lead as Bilbao’s First Black Captain

Inaki Williams, newly appointed captain of Athletic Bilbao, has expressed immense pride in becoming the club’s first black captain, describing the role as a symbol of hope for immigrants in Spain. Speaking candidly during a press conference on Tuesday, Williams reflected on his family’s migrant roots and called out the growing influence of the far right amid a surge in anti-migrant sentiment.

A Historic Moment for Athletic Club

Williams, 31, succeeds Oscar de Marcos as captain of a club renowned for its unique Basque-only player policy, which limits selection to those born or raised in the Basque Country, a region straddling northern Spain and southwestern France.

Despite this tradition, Inaki and his brother Nico Williams — both born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents — have become vital to Athletic’s identity and performance.

“Destiny is destiny. If it were not for my parents, I would not be here, nor Nico,” Williams said.
“We are lucky to be able to represent many people who come from outside to earn their daily bread and be a reference… it’s important for us.”

A Family’s Journey from Ghana to Spain

Williams has previously detailed the incredible journey of his Ghanaian parents, who crossed the Sahara desert on foot in search of a better life. His mother, while pregnant with Inaki, reportedly scaled the dangerous Melilla border fence separating Morocco and the Spanish enclave.

The family’s story stands as a stark counterpoint to the growing anti-immigration rhetoric gaining traction in Spain, fuelled recently by violent incidents in towns like Torre Pacheco.

Rising Far-Right Sentiment in Spain

Earlier this month, three nights of clashes broke out in Torre Pacheco, a southeastern town with a large population of North African immigrants, after a 68-year-old pensioner claimed he had been assaulted by three men of North African descent.

The far-right Vox party capitalised on the incident, calling for the mass deportation of undocumented migrants — a position that has stirred political tension nationwide. Vox has seen its popularity rise, advocating stringent anti-immigration policies and framing migrants as a societal threat.

“It seems that the far right is in fashion,” said Williams.
“We who have a voice will try to keep working, to continue silencing mouths and keep tearing down barriers.”

The Williams Brothers: Icons of Modern Spain

Both Inaki and Nico Williams have come to represent modern multicultural Spain. Nico, 23, recently rebuffed a move to Barcelona and committed to a new long-term contract with Athletic Bilbao, reinforcing the brothers’ loyalty to their hometown club.

Their presence in both La Liga and Europe’s Champions League in the upcoming season positions them not only as vital athletes but also as cultural ambassadors for integration and tolerance.

In a climate where immigration is weaponised politically, Inaki Williams’ appointment carries a message that transcends football — of representation, resilience, and resistance. His leadership is not just a milestone for Athletic Club, but a powerful statement in Spain’s broader social landscape.