Athletic Club is reeling from a massive blow. Star winger Nico Williams has been sidelined indefinitely with persistent pubalgia. This isn’t just a minor knock; it’s a complicated, persistent problem keeping the international talent off the pitch.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Basque giants. They’re gearing up for a crucial Copa del Rey final second leg for Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad on March 4. Losing Nico, their dynamic No. 10, for that game feels like a gut punch.
Williams Begins Specialist Treatment
The club confirmed Nico’s pubalgia diagnosis. He’s now undergoing treatment in Pamplona with external specialist Jurdan Mendigutxia. This guy is no stranger to Athletic Club players; he’s previously worked with Oihan Sancet and Beñat Prados, both teammates of Williams.
Athletic Club took a measured approach here. They looked at all non-surgical options before bringing in Mendigutxia. It shows they’re trying everything to avoid the knife, which can mean long recovery times.
But there’s no set return date. Not even an estimate. Nico’s out, and that’s all anyone knows right now. It’s frustrating for everyone involved.
Valverde Voiced Concerns Early
Ernesto Valverde, the Athletic Club coach, had mentioned Williams wasn’t quite right even before the Oviedo match. He saw persistent issues. Player wasn’t at peak fitness, he said.
Valverde made it pretty clear Williams couldn’t keep playing under those conditions, reports indicate. That’s a good move by the coach, protecting his player. But it highlights how long this has been brewing.
The club’s medical update just made it official: Nico is “suffering from pubalgia, which will force him to stay away from the pitch.” No sugarcoating it. That’s a direct quote from the Athletic Club statement.
Impact on Copa del Rey Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Final
Pubalgia is a groin-related condition. It’s common in soccer, especially for wingers like Nico Williams. All those explosive movements, quick changes of direction? They put massive strain on the groin. It makes sense, unfortunately.
His absence for the Copa del Rey final is huge. You can’t replace a player like Nico easily. He brings so much pace and creativity. And that game against Real Sociedad is everything for the club and its fans.
It’s not like the team is totally falling apart. Teammate Jauregizar, for instance, avoided a serious ligament injury after the Oviedo game. He even scored an equalizer, which was a bit of good news.
But losing Nico, the younger Williams brother, really changes the dynamic. You gotta wonder how much it’s going to affect their attacking plans. They’ll need others to step up big time.
What Next for Nico and Athletic?
He’s out for upcoming matches, that’s certain. The focus is on this non-surgical treatment in Pamplona. Hopefully, Mendigutxia works his magic again, like he did with Prados and Sancet.
Nico Williams has been linked to potential summer transfers. Teams like Arsenal apparently have an eye on him. But that’s just speculation. And it’s completely separate from this injury. Right now, his future is about getting healthy, not moving clubs.
For Athletic Club, they just have to keep going. They’ll miss him, no doubt. But they’re a resilient squad. They have to be. Losing a key player before such an important game is a test. We’ll see how they adapt against Real Sociedad without their star winger.
