Williams brothers' Copa connection has Nico 'seeing the light' after injury struggles
Athletic Club's Nico Williams reveals optimism about his recovery from persistent pubic bone issues after linking up with brother Iñaki in Copa del Rey triumph.
The Williams connection proved decisive once again as Athletic Club booked their place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, with a potentially massive boost for their trophy hopes as younger brother Nico finally sees improvement in his troublesome injury.
Williams to Williams
It was the perfect brotherly combination in Athletic’s quarter-final victory – Nico with the assist, Iñaki with the finish. But beyond the goal itself came something potentially more significant for Los Leones’ cup ambitions.
After the match, Nico confided in his older brother with words that will delight the San Mamés faithful: “I’m starting to see the light.”
For a player who’s been battling persistent injury problems all season, this glimpse of optimism could be absolutely massive for Athletic’s trophy aspirations.
Season of struggle
The Spain international has endured a proper mare this campaign, struggling with pubic bone issues (pubalgia) that flared up after an adductor injury during the first international break of the season.
The road to recovery has been anything but straightforward:
- Initially followed a conservative treatment plan over the summer
- Has consulted four different specialists
- Tried various treatment approaches
- Experienced debilitating pain at times
- Was reportedly feeling defeated mentally less than a month ago
The road ahead
The past fortnight has shown promising signs in Nico’s recovery, which originally included another planned break from action. However, the talented winger isn’t keen on stepping away from competition now – particularly with those massive Copa semi-finals on the horizon.
If he continues feeling as good as he has over the past week – having featured in both the derby and quarter-final – he’s expected to reject the planned rest period to participate in the semi-finals, which will be drawn this Friday.
The club’s medical team and Nico will assess his condition carefully, both fully aware that pubalgia is a notoriously unpredictable condition – you can feel fine one day and be unable to get out of bed the next.
What’s been ruled out by both parties is surgery in the immediate future. There’s no guarantee an operation would resolve the issues completely, and it could potentially diminish Nico’s trademark pace and acceleration – absolute bread and butter to his game.