Unai Simón and Nico Williams are the first two Athletic players called up for the World Cup in Qatar. The list of rojiblancos internationals, barring an unforeseen event or last-minute injury, will increase to three on Monday when Ghana makes its call-up public. It includes Iñaki Williams.
The last time three Athletic players participated in a World Cup was in 1998. In that championship played in France, Javier Clemente, the coach at the time, had the help of Rafa Alkorta, Julen Guerrero and Joseba Etxeberria. All of them took part in one or more of the three matches that the Spanish team faced in a group stage that they did not win.
Twelve years before, in Mexico, Miguel Muñoz also bet on the contest of three lions. The three also play an important role, as they are involved in all the battles. Zubizarreta completed all five games, Julio Salinas also missed none and Andoni Goikoetxea missed just one.
Athletic was also represented in the only World Championship won by a Spanish team to date. Fernando Llorente and Javi Martínez were recruited by Del Bosque for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Both participated in a match at that event. The striker had some minutes in the round of 16 clash against Portugal and in the midfielder where he closed the first period against Chile, a team that was then coached by what would become his coach at Athletic, Marcelo Bielsa.
Pending the confirmation of Iñaki Williams for Ghana, his brother Nico and Unai Simón are already at the rojiblanco club as ambassadors.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
