Iñaki Williams Retires From Black Stars — “Ghana Will Always Be a Part of Me”

Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football with Ghana, bringing an end to his four-year journey with the Black Stars.

In an emotional statement posted on Twitter this morning, Williams wrote:

“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end. 🇬🇭❤️ I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt. 

Ghana has given me much more than football. It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been part of this journey and for all the love you have always shown me. Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am. 

Medaase. Always Ghana. 🇬🇭❤️”

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The announcement had been anticipated. Sources close to the player revealed in the last 24 hours that the 32-year-old was weighing up his international future, with an official announcement expected imminently.

A homecoming that meant more than football.

Born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents who emigrated to Spain, Williams initially represented Spain at youth level and made one senior appearance in 2016.

In June 2022, he completed his nationality switch to represent Ghana, the country of his parents, becoming eligible at senior level. He described it at the time as a chance to return to his roots.

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Since his debut in June 2022, Williams earned 28 caps and scored twice for Ghana. His Black Stars career spanned three major tournaments: the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

While his club form at Athletic Bilbao has remained consistently impressive, Williams struggled to replicate that output at international level, averaging just over a goal every 14 games.

He has previously spoken candidly about that challenge, saying things didn’t work out as hoped on the pitch, but that he never regretted the decision to choose Ghana.