The Spain star, who rejected Barcelona to sign a blockbuster deal until 2035, is reportedly disillusioned with life at his boyhood club following a dip in form and off-field turmoil.
Just months ago, Nico Williams was the toast of Bilbao. After inspiring Spain to Euro 2024 glory and ending Athletic Bilbao’s 40-year Copa del Rey drought, the 23-year-old winger appeared to have the world at his feet.
By snubbing a high-profile move to Barcelona to sign a historic contract extension until 2035, Williams sent a defiant message of loyalty to the San Mamés faithful.
However, that romantic narrative is quickly unravelling. Sources suggest the Spain international of Ghanaian descent now deeply regrets his decision to commit his long-term future to the Basque side.
The root of Williams’ frustration lies in the club’s recent transfer ban. The enforcement of the sanction has reportedly shaken the player’s confidence in Athletic’s ability to compete at the highest level.
With the club unable to bolster the squad, Williams is said to be questioning the short- and long-term ambitions of the board.
This shift in perspective has left the attacker in what insiders describe as a “fragile psychological state,” casting a shadow over the dressing room and contributing to a noticeable drop in morale among his teammates.
The off-field drama is beginning to bleed into matchdays. While Williams has been a mainstay in the line-up this season, his output reflects the club’s wider struggles.
In 26 appearances, he has managed just four goals and six assists, a return that sits in stark contrast to the explosive form he displayed during Spain’s European Championship success.
Athletic Bilbao currently languishes in 10th place in La Liga with just 28 points. As the club struggles for consistency, Williams’ visible frustration on the pitch is adding further pressure to an already delicate situation at the club.
For a player who became a national hero in Germany last summer, a mid-table battle was not part of the plan.
Having once been the most coveted signature in European football, Williams now finds himself locked into a decade-long contract at a club facing an institutional crisis.
Whether this is a temporary dip in spirits or the beginning of a messy divorce remains to be seen, but the jubilant scenes of last season’s trophy parade now feel like a lifetime ago.
