In this Euro, rivals had the toughest time tackling Spain’s lethal attacks from both the left and right flanks. The 21-year-old Nico Williams spearheads the attack on the left flank and Lamine Yamal takes care of the right side. The youthful duo even makes you think they are brothers, thanks to their chemistry on the pitch. Well, Nico Williams would have had a chance to have his actual blood brother on Spain’s right flank. Nico’s elder brother, Inaki Williams, even shares the attacking field with him in the La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. So, why isn’t Inaki playing for Spain? Why did he choose Ghana instead? Let’s check it out.

It is not like Inaki Williams never played for Spain. He was a regular in Espana’s youth team. He even featured for the Spain senior team in a friendly. But he backtracked and chose the country of his parents for two reasons- one personal and the other professional.

Here is why Nico Williams’ brother Inaki chose Ghana over Spain’s national team

The Williams brothers were born to Ghanaian parents who migrated to Spain in the 1990s. Thanks to their parent’s origin, both Inaki and Nico were always eligible to play for Ghana as well as Spain. Just like Lamine Yamal was eligible to play for Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. Back to Inaki Williams, he has established himself as a star player in Athletic Bilbao. Moreover, he holds the record for most consistent appearances in La Liga, playing a whopping 250 games. However, despite, Inaki’s club form, Spain’s senior team time and again snubbed him. He did not receive a national team call-up in the 2022 World Cup.

This recurring snub is believed to be one of the reasons why Inaki Williams chose the Ghana national team. Well, there is one more reason that holds more weight. As Inaki puts it, he sought his Ghanaian grandfather’s help to take the tough call of leaving Spain for the Ghana NT. Williams’ grandfather, who was close to 90 at that time told him that he wished to see him in Ghana’s colors before his passing. The loving grandson in Inaki couldn’t say no and immediately chose the Ghana NT.

Inaki Williams then fulfilled his dream of featuring in a FIFA World Cup by donning Ghana’s colors in Qatar in 2022. Interestingly, the Williams brothers are not the only duo that played for separate countries.

The case of the Boateng brothers, where Ghana remains a motif

Ever heard of the Boateng brothers- Kevin Prince Boateng and Jerome Boateng? The two were born to Ghanaian parents who migrated to Germany. Kevin Prince Boateng, like his younger brother ventured into soccer via German youth clubs and Germany’s national youth team. But when the time came to consider a senior career, Kevin Prince Boateng sided with his parents’ homeland and chose to defend Ghana’s crest. He never played for the Germany senior team even once.

Jerome Boateng, however, remained loyal to his country of birth. He was crucial in powering Germany’s defense during their triumphant campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Jerome spent much of his club career in Germany, playing for Bayern Munich. Now, similar to Jerome Boateng, Nico Williams being the youngest of the brothers has a chance to lift a major trophy for his birth country, as Spain battles for a record 4th Euro title against England tonight.