Nico Williams: Athletic Club criticizes attack on its mural

The tension in Athletic Club over the future of Nico Williams is at its peak in Bilbao. This Sunday, a mural in the city was vandalized by unknown individuals, erasing the face of the 22-year-old winger in rejection of his imminent signing for FC Barcelona.

The painting made by local artist Carlos López showed the '10' of Athletic together with Iker Muniain and his brother Iñaki celebrating with the 'lions' shirt. The face of the youngest of the Williams was erased and, in its place, a controversial message appeared.

"Whether you leave or stay, you have lost respect" ("Joan edo geratu, errespetua galdu duzu"), was the message written on the mural. Given the controversy unleashed on social networks, Athletic issued a statement to reject this and other actions derived from the possible departure of Nico this summer.

Athletic asks for sanity from the Bilbao fans for the future of Nico Williams

"The dignity of a club is also reflected in the coherence with its values and in the way it protects its own. Therefore, those who have erased the image of Nico Williams from the mural of the artist Carlos López do not represent Athletic", reads part of the statement shared by the Bilbao club.

Similarly, the Athletic board reported that they will soon contact the author of the mural to restore the painting. Iñaki, the older brother of the Basque '10', also criticized the vandalism before the statement issued by the 'lions'.

"Behind an anonymous lack of respect, there is always someone too small to show their face", wrote the Athletic forward also on his 'X' account. 

"Nico is one of us. A player raised in Lezama, loved in the locker room and supported by his fans"

Athletic considers Nico Williams lost: Barça prepares his signing

Nico Williams and Hansi Flick shaking hands in a match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club in LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25

Similarly, a fragment of the statement from the Bilbao team suggests that the departure of the Spanish international is inevitable. "Athletic has a present and a future. Because this Club will always move forward, with its head held high, with respect and with pride. With those who are there and with those who will come".

Although the board refers to the full payment of his release clause (58 million euros), Barcelona is well on its way to signing the winger. In fact, gestures like Sunday's and the harsh criticism from a sector of the Basque fans show a total break with Nico.

The player from Pamplona has made it clear to Barça through his agent, Félix Tainta, his desire to wear the blaugrana shirt in 25/26. In this regard, Deco admitted that, "if the circumstances arise, the club will do everything possible to sign him".

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For the moment, the blaugrana team does not have enough money in the bank to amortize the transfer. However, there are still two months of market (July and August) ahead to resolve the operation, although the player prioritizes closing the agreement before the start of the pre-season, in mid-July.