San Mamés acclaimed Nicholas Williams Arthuer, ‘Nico’, (Pamplona, 19 years old) last Friday against Granada. More than 30,000 throats chanting the name of a youth squad that has raised enormous expectations. Add 16 matches as a lion. His filigree, speed and permanent smile on his face captivate anyone, including the one who interviews him.
Many interviews does not lead: to ‘Efe’, the magazine ‘XL Semanal’ … This is the first for a newspaper.
Yes, I have done few.
You will see how nothing happens. This is the beginning of tens and tens of them that will touch you!
I assume it.
Everything is going very fast … at his speed.
I didn’t expect everything to come so fast. It’s time to work and see if I can achieve more things.
This has nothing to do with Second B.
Yes, the change is huge and I have noticed it. The pace in the First Division is much faster, there are veteran players who know them all and the stars that they saw on TV. I face this stage with the utmost enthusiasm.
Everyone knows him as Iñaki’s brother, but he will want to shed that label.
That’s right, I work to make my own way, but I am very grateful to my brother, for everything he has given me and what he is teaching me at this stage.
Has everything gotten easier for you because you are ‘the brother of …’?
I think it is because of the effort and the daily work that I have done throughout my life in the lower categories until I reached the first team.
What do you value most about what you have learned from Iñaki?
Respect, above all things. And some movements that were difficult for me when I was little, using my left leg … He has had the opportunity to train those things a lot and we have influenced it.
I imagine his mother when she saw the two sons play together for Athletic.
He would not stop crying, he was very happy, like my father and the rest of the family. I want to thank my mother for all that she has done for me.
Iñaki says you have instilled in him and you the values of humility.
Those values are not lost. My parents have had a lot of difficulties coming to Spain. We are a family like any other, which had to make sacrifices. I will not take my feet off the ground.
His brother asked his parents when he was a child to tell them his story of sacrifice until he reached Spain.
When I was little my mother told me that she had come by plane. He was a boy and I believed him, I didn’t ask him. But I would turn on the television and see all those poor people in a boat. One day he sat us both down and told us the story. Since then they are our heroes.
Iñaki says that if fame goes to their heads, his mother “gives us two hosts that wake us up …”
I already tell you! I insist that the closest people do not let me have birds in their heads. If I deviate, calm down, my mother is there.
Have you been to Ghana a lot, the country where you have roots?
I have been a couple of times, as a child, although I do not have much memory, and when I was 13 years old, I returned. I would like to go more. This summer I think we will go to see family.
The door to globalization opens in Athletic with the two of you, plus Diarra in the subsidiary or guys with South American roots in the lower categories.
My brother has opened that door and I hope more people will come in, because society is changing. People are getting used to diversity and it is no longer strange to see black players in Athletic.
Iñaki has done a bit of tutoring when his father had to go out to work.
Yes, my brother is a benchmark in all aspects, football and personally. He would come to pick me up from class and prepare my sandwich. What a parent has to do.
He says that you can never see that he is complaining, that this is sacrifice without dribbling, as Gurpegui and Aduriz taught him in turn.
I see him working like the one who works the most and even when things go well for him, he strives like the first. De Marcos has also helped me a lot since I have been with them.
Iñaki’s record is from another galaxy. Five years without missing a game!
It’s a crazy thing that he can get those numbers, that means he’s been crushing himself. I hope I can extend the series a lot.
The previous brothers who played for Athletic were the Salinas.
I coincided with Patxi at Basconia, when I was in the youth team he raised some games for me.
How about in the U21?
Well. I knew some of my U-18 and U-19 teammates. They have welcomed me well. I have become quite a friend of Nico González (from Barça), I am glad that he is doing well.
Is it too early to demand assists and goals?
I myself demand to participate in these two facets. Little by little I will be adding numbers. With work comes everything. But the collective is what is important.
Iñaki says that you need to improve your muscles and reach the area.
Yes, it’s true, sometimes it is difficult for me to get to the area due to fatigue or a mental issue. I must have more assassin mentality within the area and arrive more times.
San Mamés chanted your name on Friday, what did you think of?
A chill ran through my body, my skin crawled. I did not believe it. San Mamés chanting my name! My brother told me: ‘Head, don’t rush.’ It’s that my emotions weigh heavily on me. It was spectacular, unforgettable.
Now he will dream of the first goal, to see if it is at the Bernabéu.
I’m really looking forward to it, but the most important thing is to help the team with my movements and the danger that I can cause with my football. I’m not hiding from you that I want to score my first goal and hopefully it will be at the Bernabéu.
He already played for Wanda, but the Bernabéu is more mythical.
They have already told me that it is like in the Gladiator movie, everything very closed. I have been warned that it will impress me. I have never been, not even as a spectator. I really want to, it’s going to be the milk.
What do you like the most about Madrid?
Vinicius.
Did you see the goal against Sevilla?
Of course!
What would you give to score that goal?
Everything and more!
Is he now the best in the world?
Not yet, but if it continues like this, it is on its way.
Mendy or Carvajal will be measured.
Brutal players! They will try to impose their experience on me, but I will try to do my best.
Weeks ago he was the protagonist here, where we are, in the Lezama press room, and spoke wonders of Mbappé.
I pay attention to him a lot and now, also in Vini, in how they play and how they are unmarked, it helps me to improve.
What is your dream right now?
What I’m experiencing: reaching the First Division and at Athletic, in this club that has given me everything. In staying here for many years.
It must not be easy to bear such anticipation. Weight?
No, with work it does not have to affect me. I try to be better day by day and hope to progress.
Iñaki declared his fidelity to the colors when he received an offer from Liverpool. Will you continue in that line? That’s the mother of the lamb, huh?
Ha, ha, yes. Yes, Athletic has given everything to me, my brother and my family. We are very grateful to be here and we will show it.
Muniain has a book, to see when yours arrives.
He is a boss, a great character, he has helped me a lot. He is very good, inside and out, he has a vision of the game like few others. Hopefully he continues to add goals and play.
We finish. How was the interview?
Well, no problem, I’ve been comfortable, ha ha ha.
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