Nico Williams' season with Athletic Club may have come to a premature end after the winger was forced off before halftime in Sunday's LaLiga match against Valencia. The 23-year-old Spain international felt a sharp pain in his left hamstring and immediately signaled to the bench, leaving the field in visible distress. Marca reports that the injury involves the ischiotibial muscles, and a Monday morning MRI will determine the exact severity and which specific muscle—biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or semimembranosus—is affected.
The timing could hardly be worse. Athletic Club have just two league matches remaining, and with European qualification still mathematically possible, losing their most dynamic attacker is a significant blow. Williams had been rounding into form after a season plagued by a persistent pubalgia that required several weeks of treatment and limited him to sporadic appearances. The groin issue had kept him below full fitness for much of the campaign, making this new setback particularly cruel.
Inside the Williams household, the mood is described as tense. Nico and his family are anxiously awaiting the MRI results, hoping that the damage is not severe enough to jeopardize his spot in Luis de la Fuente's World Cup squad. Spain's 26-man roster for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be announced in just over three weeks, and every day of recovery counts. Sources close to the player indicate that he is crossing his fingers that the layoff does not exceed four weeks, which would still give him a chance to be fit for Spain's opening match.
The Spanish national team's medical staff are already in contact with Athletic's doctors and will monitor the situation closely. De la Fuente has built much of his attacking plan around Williams' explosive pace and direct running on the flank. Losing him would force a reshuffle, with players like Lamine Yamal or Ferran Torres potentially taking on larger roles. However, the manager has shown faith in Nico, calling him up even when he was carrying the pubalgia earlier in the season.
For Athletic Club, the immediate concern is how to replace Williams in the run-in. The Basque side are currently seventh, just three points behind Villarreal for the final Europa League spot. Upcoming fixtures against Osasuna and Sevilla could determine their European fate. Without Nico, coach Ernesto Valverde will likely turn to Álex Berenguer or the emerging Malcom Adu to provide width and creativity alongside the Iñaki Williams–Gorka Guruzeta axis.
Iñaki Williams, Nico's older brother and longtime teammate at San Mamés, has been a pillar of support during the injury ordeal. The pair have combined for numerous goals and assists this season, and Iñaki will now have to carry even more of the attacking burden. The sibling bond extends beyond the pitch; both have spoken openly about how they push each other to improve, and Iñaki's experience in overcoming injuries himself—he holds a remarkable consecutive appearance streak—could offer guidance.
The injury also raises questions about Nico's long-term fitness management. After struggling with pubalgia, many observers believed he had turned a corner. This hamstring setback suggests that his body may need more careful load management, especially given the explosive nature of his game. Athletic Club and the Spanish federation will likely collaborate on a rehabilitation plan that prioritizes the World Cup, but they will also be mindful of risking re-injury by rushing him back.
If the MRI reveals a grade 2 or 3 tear, Williams could be sidelined for a minimum of four to six weeks—effectively ruling him out of both the club season's final games and potentially the group stage of the World Cup. A grade 1 strain might allow him to recover in two to three weeks, giving him a fighting chance to be ready for the tournament's knockout rounds should Spain advance.
Marca reports that the club's medical team will issue an official update later on Monday after analyzing the scans. Until then, the Athletic faithful and Spanish fans alike are holding their breath. For Nico Williams, a player who has already overcome so much this season, this is another test of resilience—one that could define his summer and, perhaps, his career trajectory.
Based on reporting from Marca.
