Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his career with the Ghana Black Stars to an end at the age of 32.
The Ghana-born striker made 28 appearances for the senior Ghana national team after switching his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022. During his time with the Black Stars, Williams scored two goals and represented Ghana at two FIFA World Cup tournaments, in 2022 and 2026.
Williams was also part of Ghana’s squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. The Black Stars, however, failed to progress beyond the group stage of the competition.
Inaki Williams’ International Career
Inaki Williams officially chose to represent Ghana in July 2022, after previously playing for Spain at senior level.
The Athletic Club forward had made one appearance for the Spain national team, featuring in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016. He later became eligible to represent Ghana and received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022.
Former Ghana coach Otto Addo selected Williams for the Black Stars squad for pre-World Cup friendly matches against Brazil and Nicaragua ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Williams subsequently became an important part of Ghana’s international setup and featured in two World Cup campaigns.
Inaki Williams Confirms Black Stars Retirement
Announcing his decision on social media, Williams said he believes the time has come to end his journey with the Ghana national team.
“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” he stated.
The 32-year-old expressed pride in representing Ghana and thanked supporters, teammates and everyone who contributed to his international career.
Williams said playing for Ghana gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his roots and experience the pride of representing his country.
“Ghana has given me much more than football. It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest.”
The striker also promised to continue supporting the Black Stars despite no longer being part of the national team.
“Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am.”
He concluded his message with the words: “Medaase. Always Ghana.”
Athletic Club Becomes Williams’ Main Focus
Following his decision to retire from international football, Inaki Williams will now focus fully on his club career with Athletic Club.
His retirement marks the end of a four-year international journey with the Ghana Black Stars, during which he featured at major tournaments and represented Ghana on the global football stage.
Williams remains a prominent Ghanaian footballer in European football, and his decision is expected to bring a new focus to his career at Athletic Club.
Source: newsthemegh.com