Nico Williams enhanced his reputation as one of the brightest talents in European football with another impressive performance at Euro 2024.
Williams, 21, caught the eye as Spain came from behind to beat Georgia in their round of 16 clash on Sunday.
The Athletico Bilbao winger scored one and assisted another as Spain won 4-1 in Cologne to set up a mouth-watering clash with hosts Germany in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Williams’ older brother, fellow professional footballer Inaki, was quick to praise his sibling after the match.
He took to social media to post: “What a great thing that you are my brother, Nico Williams.”
Williams created a new piece of European football history in the win over Georgia, achieving a feat not even the great Cristiano Ronaldo has managed.
According to Opta, Williams is the ‘only player on record at the UEFA European Championship (since 1980) to score a goal, assist a goal, and complete 100 per cent of his passes (46/46) in a game he started’.
A number of top clubs around Europe are reportedly interested in Williams, including Barcelona and Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea.
Reports in Spain claim Barcelona president Joan Laporta will make ‘every effort’ to sign Williams this summer.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will be hoping the transfer rumours surrounding Williams are not a distraction heading into the business end of the tournament.
Speaking after the win over Georgia, De la Fuente said he believes Spain have the best team at the Euros.
“We have a lot of confidence and a team with talent, quality and commitment,” he said.
“Being convinced of your ability is very important. I don’t want to offend anyone but we have the best team at this tournament.
“Germany is a fantastic team, they have some of the best players in the world and they are very organised, very disciplined.
“But they will face a team that is very similar to them, very committed, very well organised, difficult to overcome, hungry with lots of ambition.
“I know it’s the usual thing to say but in football it’s the small details that will decide the match and what happens in the end.”
