Inaki Williams Hails Copa del Rey Win as Potential Season Changer for Athletic Club
Black Stars forward Inaki Williams believes Athletic Club’s dramatic Copa del Rey victory over Valencia could prove to be a defining moment in their 2025/26 campaign.
Athletic travelled to Mestalla under pressure, sitting 11th in LaLiga and without a win in three matches, but produced a spirited display to edge Valencia 2–1 in the quarter-finals of the Spanish Cup.
Williams, introduced in the 70th minute, delivered the decisive blow deep into stoppage time. The Ghanaian striker finished off a late move in the 96th minute after being picked out by his younger brother, Nico Williams, sealing progression to the semi-finals.
The goal carried added significance for Inaki, who has endured a challenging season. It was only his second strike in 21 appearances across all competitions, following a two-month spell on the sidelines due to an abductor injury.
Beyond the result, the Athletic captain was keen to underline the unity within the squad, particularly in support of head coach Ernesto Valverde, who has faced criticism in recent weeks.
“Ernesto [Valverde] is very important to Athletic Club. The dressing room is 100% behind the coach, and we can’t imagine having any other manager,” Williams told Cadena SER.
He went on to praise the collective effort behind the win and reflected on the emotional weight of his late goal.
“He deserves all our respect. We deserved a moment of joy like this — the players, the fans, and the coaching staff. The first goal that I can dedicate to my son. The season has been difficult, but what happened today could be a major turning point,” he added.
With confidence restored and momentum building, Athletic Club will hope their cup success can spark a strong turnaround as they look to climb the LaLiga table and push deeper in the Copa del Rey.
