EEurope looks at the bands from Spain with amazement. I had news of what was happening on the right, because Lamine Yamal and its youth have monopolized covers and minutes on radio and television throughout the season in many countries. But at the other end, the left, she had less control. However, Nico Williams (Pamplona, 7-12-2002) is the sensation of the Euro Cup. It’s in everyone’s mouth. “A devil”.
He shone against Croatia, but it was against Italy where he left the mark of a tremendous player. The sensation of the first phase, the footballer who is on everyone’s lips when talking about all the good things that Spain has done in the first leg of the Euro. Before getting into the real serious stuff, the crosses, Nico sits down with MARCA to talk about the Euro and him. But not only.
ASK. Do you assume that he is the sensation of the Euro, the best player of the group stage for many?
ANSWER. Not at all! There’s still a lot. Everything that is said is good, but I still have a lot to do and give. I don’t consider myself one of the best.
Q. The crosses arrive after a great first phase. Is it going to get better?
R. We have a good team, we are covered in all positions and doing things very well. On a personal level, playing with the best helps you go further. With them, that one for one that is my strong point, it is easier for me because the balls always reach me in advantage. I think we have one of the best teams in the Euro. I could highlight the power, the presence, the passes
Rodri, who is an incredible player, but I think the whole team is doing things very well, very coordinated.
Q. Di Lorenzo, a high-level full-back from the Champions League, had the night.
R. It always motivates you to play against great players. Sides that you have seen on TV you see in real life before you and you want to improve yourself. From the first moment I knew I had to face him. If I went with that, it would be much easier later. So it was. I confronted him and he already backed away. The one-on-one game is very mental. Also to the extreme, because if you don’t leave once you think about it more and you don’t face it in the same way. The truth is that I had a spectacular game. Now I want to continue at this level. I want to continue at that level, which is to help the team above all else.
The one-on-one game is very mental.
Q. Do you see fear on your opponent’s face when that happens?
R. Yes, it’s obvious. They go from being very much on top to taking a few steps back. That gives you an advantage for heads-up. And if they alert you and come after you, you can catch them in space. The art of one on one is complex and at the same time simple. I try to look at the best in that aspect and adapt it to my game.
Q. Has a defender ever told you to stop a little, to stop running?
R. Some do tell you to stop running, to stop haggling. They live that fear of playing all or nothing in one-on-one matches. It is my strong point and I try to exploit it as much as possible. That’s what the coach asks me to do.
Cristiano, Messi, Llorente… This is Nico Williams’ perfect player
Q. The Williams brothers coined a word, brave, to go low profile. How do you do it when the rival in the round of 16 is Georgia?
R. We continue in the same thing. Flying low makes life better. You have to continue doing things the same. We are doing well and if we continue like this we will be clear candidates to win the Euro.
P. Nico and Lamine Yamal are the face of what we call change of style, the Spain of extremes. Where have they come from?
R. We are very similar. We really like watching videos. When I was little I got into a lot of highlights of Cristiano at United, of Neymar at Santos and Barça, of Robinho, whom I didn’t see play, but I was looking for his videos… And of the talent on the street. I was 24/7 in my neighborhood square playing soccer, dribbling. That has been lost a bit. Lamine is a great player. We try to learn from each other.
I was 24/7 in my neighborhood square playing soccer, dribbling. That’s been lost a bit.
Q. Do you watch videos of Lamine Yamal?
R. No! The son has to respect the father. We hesitate a lot among ourselves. We get along very well on the field and off.
Q. That brotherhood was born in Georgia.
R. It’s true. It was noticeable in the game that we were looking for each other. We did great things in that game. He scored his first goal with the national team. At 16 years old! I hope it continues like this.
If I watch videos of Lamikne? No! The son has to respect the father
Q. Do you have any dances planned in mind?
R. We’re on that. We want to do those things, be ourselves. In the field it is also shown what a person is like. We both take the initiative in the dances.
Q. Do you miss Gavi?
R. That’s how it is. He suffered a very bad injury, also against Georgia. She had a very bad time. I kept in touch with him to see how it was going. He is a very tough boy and has things very clear. You all see the energy he has. He will come back strong.
Q. Young guys, long concentration… What do you spend your time with?
R. We go out with the bike, we go for a ride. The other day Lamine, Fermín and I went to see an abandoned soccer field nearby, to see what that was. Give us air. And, yes, play a lot of Play.
Q. Let’s see. Teams, who is the king of command…?
R. The equipment we take is random, so if it has less quality then you can put up with it. Who wins? I’m not going to say anything… But they already know that I always beat them. They have to improve a little more with Play. I’m happy in that sense too.
Q. Talk about quality. Have you seen anyone better than Spain in the Euro?
R. No. I haven’t seen anyone play better. As a team, there is no one better than us. France has great individual potential. England too. But as a team, sacrifice, work, there is no one like us.
France has great individual potential. England too. But as a team, sacrifice, work, there is no one like us
Q. Who is going for the very tough side of the table, Spain or the others for going on Spain’s side?
R. These things motivate. When you are footballers you want to play against great players, experience great games. The motivation for the direction we are going is very great from everyone, the first being the coach. Of course it won’t be easy, starting with Georgia. That is the goal now, that match.
Q. Who ordered the shirt?
R. I changed it with Modric. I was surprised. An employee from Croatia came to me and told me that Modric wanted my shirt. I didn’t expect it and I was left thinking and wondering what I had done for this, for players like Modric to recognize me. I have gone from one extreme to another very quickly. In the end it fills you with pride and what I have to do is continue working like this.
He asked me for the Modric shirt. I was left thinking and wondering what I had done for players like Modric to recognize me.
Q. Has your brother told you not to smoke after the great game against Italy?
A. Nothing, nothing. Well, Iñaki told me: you have taken the Williams family name to another level. I was proud, and so were my parents. I think I played a great game. I have played games like this at Athletic, but of course the marketing is different. Not so many people see it. The truth is that it is to be happy, but I must continue working as I am doing.
Iñaki told me: you have taken the Williams family name to another level
Q. Have you noticed that your followers are now many on social networks after what was done against Italy?
A. Yes. There were many people who didn’t know me, who didn’t know who I was and in the end games like that reach everyone. It is normal. I’m making a name for myself in the world of football. I want to be recognized and be a mirror for all young people, especially for the little ones. It is a dream that I want to achieve.
Q. We reassure Athletic fans, I say this for their future.
R. In the end this is also good for Athletic. You can see that great players are coming out. Here we are three. Unai Simón has had a spectacular season. He has taken Zamora and no one talks about him. Vivian is an incredible centre-back. They have to be calm and enjoy themselves because in the end there is a good group of players.
Q. I was asking more than anything about your future…
R. For me? I am happy, focused on Athletic, on the Euro Cup and on everything that is football. Whatever it has to be, it will be.
Q. Next season’s Europa League final is in San Mamés…
R. Handsome indeed (laugh). It is a dream to play in a final like this in San Mamés. I don’t know what would happen in Bilbao if we reached the final! I am very excited to play in the Europa League and Champions League. I’m ready for it. I can give a lot.
Q. Days ago you responded to someone who insulted you on social networks, is it worth confronting them in public?
R. No, maybe it’s not worth it. You seek prominence, but one gets tired of receiving that type of attacks and insults. A year ago I decided to remove all social media. This time I have gone ahead and put courage into it. I believe that these acts do not have to happen, and I am not just talking about racism. We are public figures, but they do not have the right to insult because they feel like it. We footballers are more exposed.
We are public figures, but they do not have the right to insult because they feel like it.
Q. Do you understand Vinicius?
R. To all. Being a footballer is not easy. It requires a lot of psychological capacity, to be strong. If one day you play a bad game and you go to X or Instagram, you see that they shoot you down. If you are not alive and strong to endure that, you may collapse. People must be made aware that they cannot make those types of disrespectful comments. In the end, your parents, your family, also read them. It doesn’t feel good for them to read that kind of thing. It’s fucked.
Q. Lack of education, anonymity, cowardice, what do you think it is?
A. It is the anonymous that prevails. To the face no one is willing to insult. Everything is easier to insult behind a screen. I have told my colleagues,
No one insults you to your face. He who insults you ends up asking you for a photo to your face.
. We have to be psychologically strong and we work on it.
Q. Spain reaches the final of the Euro and will finally be able to buy that car that its mother won’t let it have?
R. It is spoken and agreed upon. It is signed. You can’t go back.
Q. This morning you left a beautiful image signing shirts when you arrived at training.
A. I feel like one of them. I have also been waiting for the players so they can sign a shirt for me, on my arm or on anything. You feel very proud of the happiness they transmit. You realize that you are a soccer player. Very grateful to sign the children.
I have also been waiting for the players so they can sign a shirt for me, on my arm or on anything.
