Nico Williams rebukes racist attack on Eto'o

Nico Williams used social media on Wednesday, May 20, to answer a racist comment directed at former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, according to El Correo. The Bilbao newspaper reported that the Athletic Club winger did not leave the abuse unanswered and instead posted what it described as a “forceful response.” The exchange followed an official Athletic Club post published the same day, El Correo said. Athletic’s own website shows the club’s Wednesday updates centered on first-team news ahead of the final La Liga matchday. ### What did El Correo report happened under the Athletic Club post? El Correo reported on May 20 that a supporter posted a racist message aimed at Eto'o in the replies to an Athletic Club social-media publication. The newspaper said Williams stepped in publicly rather than ignoring the comment, and framed his reply as a direct rebuke of the abuse. (athletic-club.eus) Athletic Club’s official news feed for Wednesday, May 20, listed routine club items including a global TV guide for the Real Madrid match and the launch of the club’s 2026/27 home kit. Those entries match the timing described in the El Correo report that the exchange came after a club post that day. ### Why does Williams responding himself stand out? Nico Williams has spoken publicly before about racism in Spanish football. (elcorreo.com) In October 2024, he said fighting racism was his “No. 1 goal,” according to ESPN and other outlets, after repeated incidents involving Black players in Spain. Williams has also been a target himself. (athletic-club.eus) In April 2024, authorities sanctioned Atletico Madrid over racist abuse directed at him during a La Liga match, in a case that drew broad attention in Spain. ### Who is Samuel Eto'o in this context? Samuel Eto'o is one of African football’s most decorated forwards and a former Barcelona striker whose career made him a prominent figure in Spanish football. (global.espn.com) His name carries particular weight in conversations about racism in the sport because he was one of the highest-profile Black players in La Liga during his time in Spain. That is why a racist reference to Eto'o in a Spanish club’s comment thread drew notice beyond a routine social-media exchange. (beinsports.com) ### What was happening around Athletic Club at the time? Athletic Club entered the week focused on the end of its league season and on injury updates around key players, including Williams. The club said on May 11 that Williams had suffered a moderate hamstring injury in his left leg after being substituted against Valencia at San Mames. (sportnewsafrica.com) El Correo’s Nico Williams topic page and Athletic’s official site both show that coverage around him in recent days had centered on his recovery, Spain’s World Cup plans and Athletic’s closing fixtures. The Eto'o exchange therefore emerged against a backdrop of routine team news rather than a wider club statement on racism. ### Did Athletic Club issue a separate statement on the exchange? (athletic-club.eus) Athletic Club’s official news page available on Thursday did not show a separate statement about the Eto'o comment or Williams’s response. The verifiable public reporting in hand is El Correo’s account that Williams answered the racist post himself. Thursday, May 21, brought no visible new club release on the incident on Athletic’s official news feed. (elcorreo.com) Athletic’s next scheduled first-team milestone is its final La Liga match against Real Madrid, which the club highlighted in its May 20 updates. (athletic-club.eus)