Some wingers wait years for their defining moment. Nico Williams found his in a European Championship final at 22, scoring the goal that began Spain’s coronation. The Nico Williams stats capture one of the most explosive wide men in the game: 36 goals in 199 games for Athletic Bilbao, a goal in the Euro 2024 final, and a key role for a Spain side among the favourites at the World Cup 2026. Here are the numbers behind the flying Basque. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Nico Williams stats: a one-club career by the numbers
A one-club man who came through at Athletic Bilbao, Nico Williams has become one of Europe’s most coveted forwards. His record reads:
| Team | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | 199 | 36 |
| Spain | 31 | 6 |
Club figures are all-competition career totals.
Pace that turns a one-on-one into a mismatch
Williams has 36 goals in 199 appearances for Athletic, a strong return for a wide player whose game is built on much more than goals. An explosive left winger with electric pace, he is among the most dangerous one-on-one dribblers in the game, equally happy cutting inside onto his right foot or tearing down the outside. At 23, the best may still be to come.
The goal that floored England at Euro 2024
Williams announced himself to the world at Euro 2024. He scored the opening goal in Spain’s 2-1 final win over England, finishing off a move started by Lamine Yamal, and was named man of the match as Spain were crowned champions. Months earlier he had won the 2024 Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao, the club’s first major trophy in 40 years.
The superstar who said no to the giants
For all the interest from Europe’s giants, Williams has stayed loyal to his boyhood club, signing a new long-term deal rather than chasing a move. Alongside his brother Inaki, he has become the face of an Athletic side punching above its weight, and that loyalty has only added to his popularity.
Nico Williams at the World Cup 2026
Nico Williams featured in three of Spain’s group-stage matches at the World Cup 2026, each time from the bench, as Luis de la Fuente’s side worked through the opening round. Here is his tournament so far, match by match.
- Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde (group stage, 15 June): Came off the bench for the final stages, playing 3 minutes.
- Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (group stage, 21 June): Introduced as a substitute, playing 29 minutes with a 91% pass completion rate.
- Uruguay 0-1 Spain (group stage, 27 June): Came on as a substitute, playing 14 minutes.
- Portugal 0-1 Spain (Round of 16, July 6): An unused substitute as Spain won 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
- Spain 2-1 Belgium (quarter-final, July 10): A late cameo off the bench as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the semi-finals.
- France 0-2 Spain (semi-final, July 14): A brief cameo off the bench as Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the final.
- Spain 1-0 Argentina (final, July 19): Off the bench with three shots as Spain won the final to be crowned champions.
Williams remains a match-winner out wide for Spain opposite Lamine Yamal, with Pedri and Gavi in midfield and Luis de la Fuente in the dugout. For our wider coverage, see the World Cup 2026 final predictions and the World Cup 2026 hub.
The wide threat Spain need to ignite
A fearless, lightning-quick winger who delivers on the biggest occasions, Williams is one of the most exciting players at the tournament.
For the full squad and Spain’s route to the final, see our Spain World Cup 2026 profile.
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How Nico Williams fared in Spain’s opener
Williams was held back as a late substitute in Spain’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, getting only a brief run-out as the favourites were held despite dominating the ball. With Spain lacking a cutting edge, expect his pace and directness to feature far more prominently as the tournament unfolds.
Nico Williams has scored 36 goals in 199 appearances for Athletic Bilbao, the only senior club of his career. He also has six goals in around 31 caps for Spain.
Yes. Nico Williams scored the opening goal in Spain’s 2-1 win over England in the Euro 2024 final, set up by Lamine Yamal, and was named man of the match.
He won Euro 2024 with Spain and the 2024 Copa del Rey with Athletic Bilbao, the club’s first major trophy in 40 years.
He is an explosive left winger known for his pace and dribbling, equally able to cut inside onto his right foot or beat his man on the outside.
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