Williams Reaches 500: A Bittersweet Achievement

Inaki Williams, a legend's 500th milestone

Inaki Williams marks 500 appearances for Athletic Club with a defeat, but his legacy shines bright.

Williams hits 500 games for Athletic, eyes more milestones ahead...

Inaki Williams hit a huge milestone – 500 appearances for Athletic Club. But it was a bittersweet moment as Girona handed them a 3-0 loss.

The landmark game turned sour as Girona dominated, leaving Williams' achievement overshadowed by the defeat. 

Hugo Rincón opened scoring, Azzedine Ounahi doubled the lead, and Claudio Echeverri added a third for a comfy home win – Athletic had no answer.

Despite the loss, Williams hit a milestone – joining 19 current pros in European football with 500+ games for one club. 

Williams' Incredible Journey 

Born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents who trekked across the Sahara and jumped the Melilla border fence, Williams' story is raw and inspiring. He grew up in Pamplona, then Athletic Club's Cantera (Basque Country academy) shaped him.

From raw debut to club legend – Williams started with a 1-0 loss to Cordoba in 2014, and over a decade later, he's captain and one of Athletic Club's greatest. 

He scored his first goal on 19 Feb the next year – a 2-2 draw vs Torino in the Europa League, making history as Athletic Club's first black goalscorer.

Williams' Stats 

Across 500 games, he's got 114 goals and 66 assists (396 La Liga, 52 Copa del Rey, 42 Europa League, 3 Champions League, 6 Supercopa). He's 19th on Athletic's all-time scoring list with 114 goals – two shy of Iriondo and Guerrero's 116. 

Williams' La Liga record speaks volumes – 251 consecutive games (April 2016-Jan 2023). That's some crazy reliability.

Speed Demon 

He tore up Spanish football for six seasons, redefining what's possible – hitting 35km/h and leaving defenders in the dust. 

Trophy Wins to Match the Legacy 

Williams scored the winning goal in the 2020/21 Supercopa de España final, netting from 20 meters in extra time vs Barcelona (3-2 win). 

Iñaki Williams played a crucial role in ending Athletic Club's 40-year wait for the Copa del Rey title, lifting the 2024 trophy at La Cartuja. This win was especially sweet for Williams, who has won three titles with the club: the 2023/24 Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España in 2020/21 and 2015/16. His contributions have cemented his place in Athletic Club's history.

🔝 Iñaki Williams reaches 5⃣0⃣0⃣ official matches with Athletic Club.

Our captain has become only the eighth Lion ever to achieve the feat.

👏 Zorionak, @Williaaams45!#IñakiWilliams500 🦁 pic.twitter.com/Tlw5SEWxv4

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) March 14, 2026

Tribute from the Boss — Future Milestones 

Ernesto Valverde, Williams' debut manager back in 2014, paid tribute after Saturday's match, acknowledging Williams' incredible achievement of 500 appearances for Athletic Club.

“These are impressive figures that highlight what Inaki means not only to the team, but also to the club and its history. He has achieved everything through sheer determination, thanks to his unbridled fighting spirit, which always drives us on and pushes us forward.”

Williams is getting a legendary tribute – a memento with his 500th game armband, club crest, and a stone from the old ground, all on an oak base.

With a contract till 2028, Williams could climb higher on Athletic's all-time list – Etxeberria (514) and Iraola (510) are next. Would you like more on Williams' plans or Athletic Club's squad?