Spanish-born Ghanaian footballer Ghanaian footballer, Nico Williams, was on Sunday caught in the rays of emotions at the MetLife Stadium in New York as he handed over his gold medal to his mother, Maria Williams, after helping Spain win their second FIFA World Cup title.
Nico who played crucial role in Spain’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final also proved influential in the La Roja’s narrow 1-0 victory over defending champions, Argentina.
The Athletic Bilbao’s forward provided the assist for the title-winning goal scored deep in the second-half extra time by Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.
He had earlier sent the Spanish fans into wild jubilation after finding the back of the net in the first of the extra-time. The goal was however cancelled due to a foul on an Argentine defender during the buildup to the goal.
Nico eventually created the goalscoring opportunity for Torres to cap Spain’s dominance of the game with a well-deserved victory.
Meanwhile, the footballer, in the heat of the celebration on the pitch, walked to the stand where his mother was.
Video shared on X captured emotional moment he handed the gold medal to his mother before returning to the pitch to celebrate with his teammates.
Also present on the stand was his father, Felix, who cheered his son as he returned back to the pitch.
Nico’s emergence as one of Spain’s biggest stars was linked to his parents who made an extraordinary journey from Ghana in search of better opportunities.
Félix and María Williams crossed part of the Sahara Desert before eventually settling in Spain, where they worked whatever jobs they could find to provide for their growing family.
Nico’s preference of Spain contradicted that of his elderly brother, Inaki Williams, who chose to represent Ghana.
The Williams brothers play for Athletic Bilbao but appeared for two different nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Inaki donned the Black Stars jersey in the tournament which he left much earlier after Ghana crashed out in group stage.
Nico however kept the family’s name going with the Spanish badge till the final match where he etched the Williams name in the book of Spanish football history.