Nico Williams (foto: Getty Images)
Nico Williams can’t hide his excitement before playing at Old Trafford in the Europa League semi-finals. The in-form winger is living a childhood dream, and he’s just getting started.
Nico Williams is flying. The Athletic Bilbao winger has hit top form at just the right time, scoring nine goals and adding two assists in his last 15 games. And now, he’s heading to a stadium he’s dreamed of since childhood: Old Trafford.
Williams and his Athletic teammates will face Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals, with the first leg taking place on May 1 in Bilbao, and the return leg at the Theatre of Dreams on May 8.
“Every kid dreams of playing at Old Trafford,” Williams admitted. “We’ll need to perform well at San Mamés first, then go to England with full confidence. We want to show how strong a team we are.”
It’s been a breakout year for the 21-year-old, who was already in the spotlight after his Euro 2024 performances and a strong domestic campaign last season. Though clubs like Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool, and Arsenal all expressed interest last summer, Williams chose to remain loyal to Bilbao—for now.
That loyalty is paying off. Athletic are sitting fourth in La Liga, on course for a Champions League return, and have been one of the most exciting teams in Spain. Williams is central to it all—unpredictable, quick, and increasingly clinical.
“I don’t think there’s a clear favourite,” he added about the United clash. “They’re low in the table, but showed their strength against Lyon. We’ll have to be at our best.”
For now, the boy from Bilbao is focused on making his dream night in Manchester count—and maybe, just maybe, give United fans a glimpse of what they could have had.