Doha, Qatar (AP) — Williams family delight in Spain on Wednesday World Cup. Then I despair for the same Williams family, also from Ghana.
Williams brothers Inaki and Nico were able to mark both of their family legacies in an amazing way by playing for two different countries at this World Cup in Qatar. They were both born in Spain, but their parents are from Ghana.
Nico was one of them The young Spanish team beat Costa Rica 7-0 Wednesday in the most compelling performance of the tournament so far. He came on as a second-half substitute to make his World Cup debut in Spain’s record win in the tournament.
The next day, his older brother Inaki made his first World Cup appearance for Ghana. Lost 3-2 to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.
It meant a complicated 24 hours at the family’s home back in Spain, and no doubt the celebration of Nico, 20, was soon followed by the mourning of Inaki, 28. Ghanaian coach Otto Addo said they both feel as Spanish as they do Ghanaians.
“I know they both have a good relationship with their home country and country,” Addo said.
Addo added that despite being born in Bilbao and raised in the Basque Country, it was very easy for Inaki to integrate into the Ghanaian team, thanks to his parents’ love for their country.
A forward like Nico, Iñaki played every match in Ghana’s game against Portugal, ending with him standing in the center circle of Doha’s Stadium 974 with his hands on his head, looking bitterly disappointed in the loss. .
“It may be difficult for some people to understand, but I think it’s really possible to have two countries in your heart,” Ado said of Inaki. I have Ghana in my heart, but also Spain.”
of the story behind the situation It has to do with my parents’ decision to leave Ghana nearly 30 years ago to find a better life in Europe.
When Felix and Maria Williams trekked barefoot through parts of the desert and climbed fences into Spain in the early 1990s, they had no idea their two sons would play in the World Cup. Maria was pregnant with Inaki at the time.
They settled in Bilbao and both boys grew up to be footballers. They still play club football together for their local team, Athletic Bilbao.
The brothers’ careers have always been linked even after Inaki decided to shift allegiance to Ghana this year and return to his roots. .
Inaki made his international debut for Ghana on 23 September against Brazil. Nico made his debut for Spain the following day against Switzerland.
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