Nico Williams sidelined indefinitely as Athletic face fitness nightmare
Athletic Club's star winger Nico Williams has been forced to stop training with no return date set as his long-standing pubalgia issues worsen.
Athletic Club’s dynamic winger faces an extended spell on the sidelines with his troublesome pubalgia condition showing no signs of improvement.
Ongoing struggles
Nico Williams’ persistent pubalgia issues have reached breaking point, forcing him to miss the weekend trip to Oviedo. His brother Iñaki delivered the concerning news after the match at El Tartiere, revealing that Nico had been “starting to see the light but now seems to have taken two or three steps backward.”
Valverde was equally blunt about the situation, stating simply: “We cannot continue like this.”
The numbers tell a worrying tale:
- Nico has featured in just 26 matches this season (only 18 as starter)
- He’s accumulated 1,728 minutes - nearly 1,200 fewer than squad leader Jauregizar
- Missed recent Spain national team call-ups due to the condition
Treatment plan
After consulting external specialists and trying various treatments without success, Athletic have finally taken drastic action. The club’s sporting director Mikel González recently outlined their approach: reducing training intensity hadn’t worked, so they’re now considering “stopping for a few weeks to focus on abdominal strengthening treatment.”
This new recovery program officially began Monday, though the club remains tight-lipped about a specific timeline. Sources suggest the minimum recovery period could be around four weeks, raising serious questions about his availability for the crucial Copa del Rey semi-final.
Surgery concerns
Behind the scenes, there appears to be reluctance regarding surgical intervention. Club officials have reportedly argued that modern approaches to pubalgia rarely involve surgery due to potential side effects:
- Risk of permanent speed and acceleration loss
- Surgery doesn’t guarantee 100% recovery
- Recovery timeline of 3-6 months would end his season
For Athletic, it’s a proper nightmare. Their star man’s fitness problems show no signs of resolution, and with crucial fixtures on the horizon, Valverde faces some difficult decisions about how to manage without his most electric attacking talent.