Nico Williams will miss Athletic Club's remaining La Liga matches after suffering a left hamstring strain but is expected to be fit for Spain's World Cup campaign, ruling him out of the final three league fixtures while preserving his summer availability.
Nico Williams ruled out for Athletic's La Liga run-in after hamstring strain
Williams limped off in the first half of Athletic Club’s 1-0 home defeat to Valencia with a left hamstring issue and will miss the club’s final three La Liga games against Espanyol, Celta and Real Madrid. Medical assessment has classified the injury as a moderate hamstring strain with an expected recovery window that points to roughly three weeks out — timing that protects his availability for Spain’s summer World Cup squad.
How the injury unfolded
He was replaced by brother Iñaki Williams after appearing visibly distressed while exiting the pitch. Athletic confirmed a moderate strain in the left hamstring and said he will be closely monitored. That timeline rules him out of any meaningful participation in Athletic’s season close but keeps him on track for international duty.
Fitness context: a disrupted season
This campaign has been stop-start for the 23-year-old: six goals and three assists from 25 La Liga appearances amid earlier setbacks including a month out with a groin problem and more than seven weeks sidelined with a sports hernia. Before the season he committed his long-term future to Athletic by signing a 10-year contract despite reported interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
What this means for Athletic Club
Athletic sit mid-table with little at stake, so the club can prioritise long-term player welfare over short-term results. Losing Nico removes a direct source of width and pace, forcing tactical adjustments: expect more starts for Iñaki, heavier reliance on other wide options and possibly a more conservative approach against top opponents such as Real Madrid. The immediate competitive damage is limited, but Athletic lose a key creative outlet in a squad already hampered by injuries this season.
Implications for Spain and the World Cup
Spain begin their World Cup group stage against Cape Verde on June 15, with a warm-up against Peru on June 9. The prognosis that Williams will be fit for the tournament is significant; his dribbling and ability to stretch defences add a distinct dimension to Spain’s attack. Holding him back from three low-stakes La Liga matches is a sensible risk-management decision that increases his chances of arriving at the World Cup fully recovered and ready to compete.
Squad dynamics and selection questions
Williams’ inclusion in Spain’s plans will hinge on fitness and form in the final weeks before the squad is finalised. If he returns to full sharpness, he offers a different attacking profile than many of Spain’s midfielders — direct, incisive and hard to defend one-on-one. If recovery stalls, Spain have depth but will miss his unique blend of pace and penetration.
Outlook and next steps
Short-term: Athletic will manage without Williams for the Espanyol, Celta and Real Madrid fixtures, using the window to safeguard his World Cup readiness.
Medium-term: assuming recovery goes to plan, Williams should be available for Spain’s warm-up fixtures and the tournament itself.
Long-term: recurring soft-tissue issues into his mid-20s remain a concern; careful load management and targeted conditioning will be essential to preserve the £long-term value of a player Athletic committed to for a decade.
Theathleticuk
