Athletic Bilbao condemns fans after Nico Williams mural defaced amid Barca interest
Athletic Bilbao rebuked fans who erased winger Nico Williams from a players' mural, declaring that those who 'disrespect one of our own' have no place in the club's family amid transfer speculation linking him to Barcelona.
The 22-year-old Spain international, whose image was removed with the message 'Leave or stay, you've lost respect', was defended by the Basque club he joined as an academy player in 2013.
Williams, who has a contract until 2027, is one of Athletic's prized assets after he broke into the senior team and is among the first names on the team sheet.
'The dignity of a club is the dignity of the people who make it up and is measured by their capacity to behave in a coherent way with their own values, without falling into provocations or lowering themselves, and always holding their heads high,' the club said.
ℹ 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁.
That is why those who have erased Nico's image from artist Carlos López's mural do not represent Athletic.
🔗 https://t.co/vs5qxHGDvCpic.twitter.com/4oI6ljsTw5 — Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) June 22, 2025
'The dignity of a club is also reflected in the way it protects its own people. That is why those who have erased Nico's image from artist Carlos Lopez's mural in Barakaldo do not represent Athletic.
'And if they think they are part of this family, they should know that they are wrong: to disrespect one of our own is to disrespect Athletic itself.'
The mural, created by artist Carlos Lopez, originally featured Williams alongside his brother Inaki, who also plays for Athletic. The club has contacted Lopez to help restore the younger Williams to his rightful place in the artwork.
'Behind an anonymous lack of respect, there is always someone too small to show their face,' Inaki said on X.
ALSO READ: Manchester City transfer news — Guardiola hints at more exits, gives update on Gundogan's future
The mural was defaced after Barca sporting director Deco said they could target the winger, who scored in last year's European Championship final against England to guide Spain to a record fourth title.
'Nico, like other players, has shown interest in joining us. If the conditions are right, we'll go for him,' Deco told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
'You first talk to the agent, then look into contract details, and finally determine if the player's club is open to negotiating or will demand the full release clause. In Nico's case, it's very clear - he has a release clause.'
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