Nico Williams doubtful for Spain, Athletic final

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams is a doubt for both the club’s final LaLiga game and Spain’s World Cup selection after Spanish media reports on May 19 said he was carrying an injury. MARCA’s projected lineups for Matchday 38 listed Williams among Athletic’s absentees for the trip to Real Madrid, alongside suspended defender Yuri and injured Egiluz. AS also placed Williams among Spain attackers being managed “between cotton wool,” a phrase used to describe players not fully fit ahead of Luis de la Fuente’s squad decision. ### Which match is now in question for Williams? LaLiga’s official fixture list shows Athletic will visit Real Madrid on Saturday, May 23, at 21:00 in the final round of the 2025-26 season. That is the immediate club game affected by the injury concern around Williams. MARCA’s Matchday 38 lineup projection said Athletic go into the round without Yuri through suspension and without Nico Williams and Egiluz because of injury. (marca.com) The report did not present Williams as a confirmed starter or available option for the Bernabeu trip. ### What exactly have Spanish outlets said about his condition? AS said Williams was among the attacking options for Spain who arrive with fitness uncertainty and used the phrase “between cotton wool” to describe that status. (laliga.com) The article was focused on Alberto Moleiro as an alternative, but it included Williams in the group of players whose condition could affect selection calculations. (marca.com) Khel Now, in separate World Cup coverage published this week, said Williams had become a doubt for Spain because of injury and identified his fitness as an issue ahead of the squad announcement. Another Khel Now item described the Athletic winger as having recently sustained a hamstring injury. ### Why does the Spain angle matter now? (as.com) Spain’s squad announcement is the next decision point because Williams has been a regular part of La Roja’s setup. Khel Now’s report on the timing of the squad reveal linked his availability directly to the selection question rather than only to Athletic’s final league game. AS framed the issue in selection terms as well, presenting Moleiro as a real alternative while noting that some attacking players, including Williams, were not fully fit. (khelnow.com) That does not amount to an official ruling from the Spanish federation, but it shows how the debate is being covered on the eve of the call-up. ### Who else is missing for Athletic? Yuri’s absence is a suspension case rather than a fitness problem, according to MARCA’s projected lineups for the final round. (khelnow.com) Egiluz was listed injured in the same update. That leaves Williams as part of a broader availability issue for Ernesto Valverde’s side heading into the last weekend. LaLiga’s schedule places Athletic in one of nine Saturday matches kicking off at 21:00. (as.com) ### What should readers watch next? Saturday, May 23, is the next on-field checkpoint, when Real Madrid host Athletic Club in Matchday 38 at 21:00, according to LaLiga. (marca.com) Spain’s World Cup squad announcement is the next national-team milestone flagged by Khel Now’s reporting, and that call will determine whether Williams’ injury affects only Athletic’s finale or also his international place. (laliga.com)