Nico Williams' injury rollercoaster: The truth behind his persistent pubalgia
Athletic Bilbao's star winger begins new treatment protocol for long-term pubalgia issues, with no clear return date in sight after months of setbacks.
Athletic Club’s dynamic winger faces extended spell on the sidelines as club seeks definitive solution to nagging injury problems.
The New Treatment Plan
Nico Williams has just begun what Athletic Club hopes will be the definitive treatment for the pubalgia (groin injury) that’s been giving him grief since last season. The Spanish international is set to miss upcoming fixtures with no concrete return date pencilled in.
After consulting multiple specialists, the club has opted for an abdominal wall strengthening program rather than surgery. This regiment requires Williams to follow a strict routine away from competitive action, combining specific techniques with exercises and physiotherapy across multiple daily sessions.
Why Has It Taken So Long?
The initial approach with Nico was trying to balance competition with short rest periods through personalized training and specialist supervision. Last summer seemed promising after he’d struggled in spring, but the first setback arrived when his adductors flared up following weeks of intense activity.
Since then, proper recovery has been elusive. While he could participate in certain matches, he’s missed many fixtures that were prioritized in the initial treatment plans, which focused on managing competition and regulating training intensity.
The Decision Timeline
The club and player agreed to try a new approach during the Christmas break, but upon returning, the discomfort persisted, and Williams looked nothing like his usual self. After one match in January 2026, a decision was made to seek another external specialist consultation while continuing work with Jurdan Mendigutxia.
Now the younger Williams brother has been completely sidelined, with the club deliberately avoiding setting a specific absence timeframe. His response to what’s considered the “definitive approach” will determine when he returns to action.
Initially, the rest period should be approximately three weeks, but that’s just the opening gambit - no one at Athletic is willing to bet their Adam and Eve that this timeline won’t stretch longer.
What This Means For Athletic
Losing a player of Nico’s caliber for an extended period represents a proper kick in the teeth for Athletic’s ambitions. His explosive pace and creativity have been sorely missed during his intermittent absences this season.
The club appears to have finally accepted that short-term fixes aren’t cutting the mustard, opting instead for a comprehensive approach that prioritizes long-term recovery over quick returns to action.