Spain’s Nico Williams dedicates Euro 2024 medal to mother’s journey

By Arjun Nair / 20.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 20 July 2026 — 3 min read

A tribute to sacrifice

Nico Williams, the Spanish footballer, dedicated his Euro 2024 medal to his mother, María Arthuer, acknowledging her extraordinary journey. Following Spain’s victory over England in July 2024, Williams stated, “I run very fast, but I can’t run as fast as my mother. Because she once escaped death and crossed the Sahara Desert from Ghana to Spain to become who I am today. I gave the medal to my mother because she deserves it more than anyone else.” This statement connected his athletic achievement directly to his mother’s earlier sacrifices.

Williams’ remarks came after a tournament where he scored the opening goal in the final and was recognised as a standout performer. His speed on the pitch is a notable aspect of his game, which adds emphasis to his comparison of his own pace with his mother’s endurance. He highlighted that his mother’s courage and resilience in surviving the crossing outweighed his accomplishments as a professional footballer.

Many athletes dedicate their victories to family, but Williams’ gesture was specific, linking the medal to his mother’s hardship and decisions that enabled his life in Spain. He framed his success as having multiple contributors, with his own efforts alongside the foundational sacrifices made by his parents.

Family’s journey and impact

Williams was born in Pamplona, Spain, to Ghanaian parents. His older brother, Iñaki Williams, plays international football for Ghana. The family’s migration story, which involved crossing the Sahara Desert before settling in Spain, is a significant part of both brothers’ careers. Over 32 years ago, María Arthuer and Félix Williams left Ghana for Spain, with María pregnant with Iñaki during their journey.

Iñaki shared details of their parents’ journey, including crossing the desert barefoot and without water, before reaching Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. There, they were detained by the civil guard. A lawyer from a Catholic aid organisation advised them to claim asylum by stating they were from a country at war, leading them to declare they were from Liberia and discard their Ghanaian papers. This allowed them to apply for political asylum, eventually bringing them to Bilbao.

The family’s history is marked by survival and determination, with football providing a path forward. Both brothers have recently faced racist abuse in La Liga. Nico Williams has spoken about the fight against racism as a primary goal, stating that as public figures, he and his brother have an important task in this fight.

Professional career and family values

Nico Williams has been a key player for Spain. At the 2024 Euros, his pace and dribbling on the left wing contributed to Spain’s expansive play. In a recent World Cup match, he came on as a substitute and provided an assist for Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.

His brother, Iñaki Williams, has been a significant role model, helping raise Nico while their parents worked to support the family. The brothers are teammates at Athletic Club, but they represent different national teams; Iñaki switched to play for Ghana in 2022 after previously representing Spain, while Nico debuted for Spain at a young age.

Those who have coached Nico have noted his talent and character, attributing his grounded nature to his family’s values. Former Athletic Club manager Gaizka Garitano credited their mother for their development, both in football and in their respectful demeanour. The family’s sacrifices have remained a constant inspiration for the brothers, with Iñaki stating that everything they do is for their parents.

Nico Williams has been linked to Ainhi Garcia since early 2025.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com