The midfielder looked distraught as he limped off the pitch before half-time during Athletic Bilbao’s 1-0 loss to Valencia.
Published May 11, 2026
Spain appears to have suffered another blow ahead of the World Cup. Midfielder Nico Williams has missed Athletic Club’s La Liga match with a hamstring injury.
Williams was injured before half-time in Athletic Bilbao’s 1-0 home defeat to Valencia on Sunday, causing concern for European champions Spain as the countdown to the world championships reaches a month old.
The 23-year-old walked away looking distraught and was later seen on the bench with a pad on his left hamstring. He had already been sidelined for several weeks earlier this year due to another injury.
Williams has made 30 appearances for the Spanish national team since 2022, scoring six goals. He has made 32 appearances for Athletic Club this season, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.
His injury adds to the worries for Spain, who were already struggling with the fitness of star forward Lamine Yamal. Yamal suffered a torn hamstring while playing for Barcelona last month.
Spain is in Group H at the North American World Cup. The first two games will be played in Atlanta, Georgia, against Cape Verde on June 15th and Saudi Arabia on June 21st. The 2010 champions’ final group game will be against Uruguay on June 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“He was limping a lot. I’ve never felt pain like that before,” said Williams’ Athletic teammate Inaki Williams. “That’s alarming given the situation we’re in right now. Let’s hope for the best possible scenario.”
The Athletic did not immediately release details about Williams’ injury.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is expected to announce his 55-man World Cup reserve squad this week.
