Athletic Bilbao head coach Ernesto Valverde has publicly criticised his captain, Iñaki Williams, after the forward spoke out against the Spanish Super Cup being staged in Saudi Arabia.
The Ghanaian international Inaki Williams, said the tournament “sucks”, explaining that travelling to the Middle East would keep him away from his family at a deeply personal moment, with his wife due to give birth.
The comments drew a measured but firm response from Valverde, who acknowledged the emotional strain on his captain while questioning the tone of his remarks.
“Regardless of whether we like the format or not, I’m not sure his words were very appropriate,” Valverde said. “Iñaki is dealing with the birth of his son and leaving might upset him a little more, but we have to be careful with our words.”
Williams, 30, is one of Athletic’s most influential figures and a symbol of consistency at the club. Off the pitch, he has also embraced his Ghanaian heritage, inspiring many young footballers across Africa and the diaspora with his story.
Valverde stressed that, beyond personal feelings, the club must consider the broader picture.
“Going to Saudi Arabia is prestigious because we’re playing for a title and our club receives money to go there,” he added. “We’d all like the fans to be there, but we have to be respectful.”
Athletic Bilbao face Osasuna in the Super Cup semi-final this week, with Valverde keen to refocus attention on the football.
“For now, the goal is to beat Osasuna; I’m not looking beyond that,” he said. “It’s an extremely difficult match against a very strong home opponent. We have to recover the points lost along the way, fighting for them.”
As the debate over hosting Spanish competitions abroad continues, the episode highlights the human side of modern football, where personal lives, cultural identity and commercial realities increasingly collide on the global stage.
