GOD55News | Nico Williams' Injury Nightmare: World Cup Hopes Hang by a Thread

Athletic Club have been rocked by a major fitness blow as star winger Nico Williams has been sidelined indefinitely to deal with a persistent pubalgia issue. The Euro 2024 hero has been struggling with the abdominal problem since the start of the season. Despite attempts to manage the injury through a combination of tailored training and match minutes, the club finally decided to pull the 23-year-old out of action following the recent match against Real Oviedo.

The Crippling Blow to Athletic's Star Winger

For weeks, Athletic Club attempted to manage Nico Williams' persistent pubalgia through tailored training and restricted minutes. However, the situation reached a critical point when the 23-year-old missed their recent La Liga victory, forcing the club to take decisive action.

Valverde's Frustration Boils Over

Athletic Club boss Ernesto Valverde made his stance unequivocally clear, highlighting the winger's deteriorating physical state. "Nico has problems and is not 100 per cent. We can’t go on like this," Valverde stated, emphasizing the need for a solution.

The club has now initiated a specialized, reinforced treatment plan, engaging external specialists to address the root cause of the pain. This signals a desperate attempt to avoid surgical intervention.

Iñaki Williams: A Brother's Plea Amidst Setbacks

The true toll of Nico's injury was laid bare by his brother, Iñaki Williams, who offered a heartfelt insight into the struggles behind the scenes. Iñaki revealed the deep emotional and physical impact, stating, "He’s in a bad way, he’s been carrying discomfort since September."

A Season Marred by Persistent Pain

Iñaki further elaborated on the unpredictable nature of pubalgia: "Some days you’re very good and the next you’re bad... And now it seems that it is two or three steps back." This relapse has compelled Athletic Club to explore more aggressive, non-surgical pathways.

The statistical impact on Nico’s season is stark. Despite appearing in 26 matches across all competitions, he has only been fit enough to start 18, accumulating nearly 1,200 fewer minutes than teammate Mikel Jauregizar. His influence has significantly waned compared to his blistering form of last season.

World Cup Dream Hangs in the Balance

The timing of this "injury hell" could not be worse, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. There's a growing fear that if conservative treatment fails, surgery might be necessary. Such an operation would almost certainly end his season and potentially rule him out of the tournament in North America, requiring 2-4 months of recovery time.

Spain manager **Luis de la Fuente** will undoubtedly be monitoring the situation closely, as **Nico Williams** remains a fundamental pillar of the national team's attack.