Iñaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his four-year spell with the Ghana Black Stars.
The 32-year-old Athletic Bilbao forward confirmed his decision in an emotional statement, saying he believes “the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end.”
Williams, who was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, previously represented Spain at senior level in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016. He later remained eligible to switch allegiance and officially chose to represent Ghana in July 2022.
He was part of Ghana’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and also featured at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and the 2026 World Cup.
Reflecting on his time with the Black Stars, Williams said he leaves the national team “happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”
He also described representing Ghana as a deeply personal experience, saying the country had given him “much more than football.”
“It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest,” he said.
Williams thanked those who supported him throughout his international career and pledged to continue backing the Black Stars from afar.
“Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am,” he added.
He ended his message with a simple expression of gratitude: “Medaase. Always Ghana.”
