Inaki Williams missed Athletic Bilbao’s game at Celta Vigo on Sunday due to injury, ending the forward’s astonishing record run of 251 consecutive LaLiga appearances.
Before his omission was confirmed by the club, Ghana international Williams had not missed a league game since the 2015-16 season.
The 28-year-old was suffering an unspecified physical problem that meant head coach Ernesto Valverde had to cope without the team’s mainstay.
Williams surpassed the previous record of 202 consecutive games when he featured in the win over Alaves in October 2021, going past the mark set by former Real Sociedad stalwart Jon Andoni Larranaga.
ALSO READ: ‘He won’t finish at Al Nassr’, Rudi Garcia says Cristiano Ronaldo will return to European football
ALSO READ: ‘Bitterly disappointing’; Robertson rues Liverpool FA Cup exit
The marathon ever-present spell began for Williams on April 20, 2016, when he appeared as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid.
During the 251 games, Williams scored 50 goals and had 31 assists, from totals of 456 shots and 207 chances created.
Athletic won 89 of those games, losing 84 and drawing 78.
Since Williams’ run of games began, up to and including Sunday, Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made the second-most appearances in LaLiga, featuring in 240 games.
Williams started 212 matches and appeared as a substitute 39 times across his marathon stint for Athletic.
"He was a symbol of strength, determination and resolve, and created unforgettable moments...
He emphasised the importance of coordination in planning, timely execution, disciplined delivery....
IFAB has already agreed to look at measures to stop players from hiding what they…
He said MMA’s emergence from relative obscurity reflects deliberate institutional backing by the Police....
They’ll capture a league that believes it belongs on the big stage and on April…
The footballer was found guilty of having non-consensual sexual relations in March 2021....
This website uses cookies.