Nico Williams says staying at Athletic Bilbao ‘worth more than five Champions Leagues’ after Barcelona saga

Nico Williams has insisted he made “the right decision” by turning down a move to Barcelona and committing his long-term future to Athletic Bilbao, saying he would rather remain at San Mames than win “five Champions League titles or two La Liga titles” elsewhere.

The Spain winger, now 24, has revisited a turbulent summer in 2023 in a documentary aired by Spanish broadcaster RTVE, describing the intense pressure he and his family faced before he eventually signed a new deal with Athletic through to 2035.

The transfer saga dominated Spanish football for months, with Barcelona heavily linked to the player before negotiations collapsed and Williams opted to stay with the Basque club where he came through the academy.

‘A very difficult summer’

In the film, Williams reflects on how the speculation around a possible switch to the Camp Nou turned what should have been a career highlight into one of the most stressful periods of his life.

He said: “كان عاما غير اعتيادي بالنسبة لي. كان صيفا صعبا للغاية، تعرضت انا وعايلتي لضغوط كبيرة، وفي النهاية لم يكن الامر سهلا”.

Translated, he describes it as an extraordinary year and an extremely hard summer, marked by heavy pressure on him and his family.

Despite Barcelona going on to win the league title, Williams says he has no doubts he chose correctly by staying loyal to Athletic.

He said: “اتخذت القرار الصحيح. افضل البقاء في هذا النادي على الفوز بخمسة القاب في دوري ابطال اوروبا او لقبين في الدوري الاسباني، وقد اثبت ذلك”.

The remark underlines the depth of his attachment to the club and its supporters, and frames his choice as one rooted in identity and belonging rather than in the pursuit of trophies.

Brother reveals vandalism and abuse

Nico’s elder brother, Inaki Williams – Athletic’s captain – revealed just how hostile the atmosphere became as rumours of a move intensified.

He explained that the constant speculation about a transfer to Barcelona only made the decision more complicated and opened his younger brother up to criticism from some fans.

He said: “اذا لم يتخذ شقيقي قراره بين ليلة وضحاها، او اذا التزم الصمت او احتاج الى التفكير في ما كان بالنسبة له تغييرا جذريا في حياته، بدا للبعض وكانه يتصرف بشكل خاطي”.

Inaki also disclosed that the family were directly targeted during the saga. Citing details reported by Sport, he recalled acts of vandalism and intimidation.

He said: “اسوا لحظة كانت عندما تعرضت الجدارية للتخريب، وخاصة عندما عاد شقيقي من الاجازة مع صديقته ووجدنا زجاج السيارة محطما”.

He added that “التقارير المتضاربة في وسايل الاعلام زادت حالة الغموض وعدم اليقين”، highlighting how contradictory media coverage fuelled confusion and uncertainty around Nico’s future.

‘My brother is no longer a child’

Inaki remembers clearly the moment Nico finally told him that he had resolved to remain in Bilbao.

He said: “اتصل بي عبر مكالمة فيديو. كنا في ايبيزا، وقال لي: اينياكي، لقد قررت البقاء. فاجبته: هل تمزح؟ ثم قلت لزوجتي: هذا الفتى كبر، شقيقي لم يعد طفلا”.

The call from Ibiza marked the end of months of doubt and signalled Nico’s transition, in his brother’s eyes, from a youngster to a decisive professional prepared to withstand external pressure.

World Cup final stage for Spain star

A year on from the transfer storm, Nico Williams is now a mainstay for Spain and is currently involved at the 2026 World Cup.

The winger is expected to be in the Spain squad for Sunday’s final against Argentina, with “La Roja” aiming to lift the trophy again on the global stage.

His emergence as a key figure for both club and country has added further weight to his decision to stay at Athletic, where he will remain under contract until 2035 – a commitment he says has already been “proven” right in his own eyes, regardless of what silverware he might have collected elsewhere.