They were brothers at home, teammates at the club, and now in the World Cup, they are rivals.
La Liga Athletic Bilbao players Inny Williams and Nie Williams became another pair of brothers playing for different countries in the World Cup in Qatar.
The 28-year-old was selected by Ghana and his 20-year-old brother Nie Williams was selected for Spain. They will repeat the unique experience of the Boateng brothers, who played for different countries twice in South Africa in 2010 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Older brother Jay Boateng is a centre-back for Germany, while older brother Kay Boateng is Ghana's attacking midfielder. In these two World Cups, the Boateng brothers played each other twice.
The Williams brothers' parents are from Ghana, and both brothers were born in Spain. Their parents left home in search of a better life in Europe. The duo's destination was Spain, and the journey was extremely arduous, with having to squeeze into crowded trucks and cross the Sahara desert barefoot.
When they tried to enter Spanish territory, they were detained. Inn Williams revealed that his mother was pregnant with him at the time. In order for them to enter Spain instead of being repatriated, one volunteer told them not to say they were from Ghana, but to escape the Liberian civil war. Eventually, they were allowed to enter Spain as refugees.
Caption: In. Williams
They came to the Basque Country, lived here, and gave birth to the Williams brothers. The brothers joined the local Athletic Bilbao Academy and older brother Inc. Williams said: "I always say that everything we do is for our parents, repay them for what they have done for us, and let them see that their children can achieve their dreams. ”
The Williams brothers gained the favor of Athletic Bilbao and signed with the club, becoming one of the few black players in the club's history.
In Williams, he made 203 consecutive appearances for Athletic Bilbao last season, breaking the Spanish league record for the most consecutive appearances. He has not been called up by Spain since he appeared in a friendly in 2016, so he decided to play for Ghana, which has been recruiting on the eve of the World Cup in Qatar.
The fast striker made his Ghana debut in September's debut against Nicaragua, followed by a friendly against Brazil.
Because his parents often went out to work, younger brother Nie Williams was cared for by his older brother from an early age. Spain coach Luis has unexpectedly recruited him, making his debut for Spain in September's Nations League game against Switzerland. On his second substitute appearance, the youngster scored a goal with the help of teammate Morata to help Spain reach the last four.
Caption: N. Williams
Spain and Ghana are in different groups at this World Cup, and the Williams brothers won't meet until at least the quarter-finals. "Hopefully this will happen," said brother Inc. Williams, "and the result is that Garner wins." Brother Nie Williams said: "We'll see." If we meet, whoever wins or loses, we will definitely exchange shirts after the game. (Xinmin Evening News reporter Huang Yongshun)