Inaki Williams, a striker for Athletic Bilbao of the Spanish La Liga, claims he now feels Ghanaian and is prepared to represent his nation abroad.
According to Inaki Williams, who is 28, he shocked admirers all around the world when he announced in a video on Tuesday that he had changed his nationality from Spain to Ghana.
Prior to his current statements, attacker Inaki Williams had declined calls to play for the nation of Ghana because he didn’t feel like a Ghanaian because he wasn’t born there.
“I admire and love Ghana, the food, tradition. My parents are from Accra, and I really enjoy going. Ghana tried to convince me, but I was born in Spain, in Bilbao. I won’t ever forget my family roots, but I feel Basque and can’t con anyone. I would be comfortable with Ghana, I’m sure, but I shouldn’t be there.
“But I wasn’t born or raised there, my culture’s here, and there are players for whom it would mean more. So I don’t think it would be right to take the place of someone who really deserves to go and who feels Ghana 100%.” Williams said to The Guardian.
He admitted that he now feels Ghanaian during a recent interview on a TV station in Accra.
“Yes, I was confused before but since I came here [Ghana] and saw all the people and all the things that I don’t see in Spain,” he said.
“Seeing the people is very important and they love me, they take photos of me and encourage me to play for Black Stars.
“It was beautiful playing with Spain. I have lived all my life in Spain but I don’t forget Ghana. Ghana is a special country because my parents are here, and my blood is here.”
“Ghana is here in my heart because I enjoy this country. I see my people, I see my parents. My parents are Ghanaians and I am a Ghanaian,” he added.
When fully fit in September and November of each year, he is anticipated to play for the Black Stars at the AFCON 2023 Qualifiers and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
