Inaki Williams reveals why he declined invitation to play for Black Stars

Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams has revealed that he was offered the opportunity to play for the Black Stars but he opted for Spain.

Williams was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents and was eligible to represent either Ghana’s Black Stars or the Spanish national team.

In an interview with the Guardian, Williams opened up on why he couldn’t see himself representing any country but Spain.

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According to him, he doesn't feel Ghanaian enough to wear the Black Stars jersey. 

“I’m grateful to where I grew and became who I am. 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.

”And my mum knows how people live football there: it’s quite something, and she’d be worried about me,” he said.

Williams, over the weekend set a La Liga record of playing 203 league games in a row in his side’s 1-0 win over Deportivo Alaves.

The 27-year-old also pointed out cultural disparities as a reason for opting to represent Spain.

”I admire and love Ghana, the culture, food, tradition. My parents are from Accra and I really enjoy going.

But I wasn’t born or raised there, my culture’s here, and there are players for whom it would mean more. 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 made his debut for Spain in 2016 in a 3-1 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.