Nico Williams arrived late in Barcelona – in the least wanted way | OneFootball

As Barcelona take on Athletic Club at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys later tonight, all eyes will be on a certain Nico Williams.

The 22-year-old was linked with a transfer to Barcelona all summer long and for a while, it even appeared like the move would go through.

However, in the end, Nico ended up continuing with Athletic, where he has even been handed the No. 10 shirt.

Barcelona fans had hoped to see the Spanish international in the Blaugrana colours tonight but will now be rooting against him as he takes the pitch as an Athletic Club star.

Nico arrives late to Barcelona

Just like his signing was awaited for long, Nico Williams’ arrival in Barcelona with Athletic Club also took longer than expected.

The Basque club’s expedition was scheduled to land at seven o’clock in the evening at El Prat airport but landed three and a half hours later due to a logistical problem with the flight.

Athletic warned of the delay on social networks aware of the interest that the arrival of Nico had generated in Barcelona.

Although Nico Williams was eagerly awaited by Barça fans, most of them would have liked to see him arrive in Barcelona to sign for the Blaugrana and show off his football alongside his friend Lamine Yamal.

Instead, the 22-year-old winger arrived in the Catalan capital after 11 pm from Bilbao as just another player for Athletic Club, who are looking to spring a surprise today in Montjuic.

The number of fans who showed up to L’Hospitalet at Athletic’s hotel to greet Nico and the rest of the team was lower than expected due to the remarkable delay of the flight. The youngster was attentive to the fans who wanted a signature from their idol.

A saga that ended on a disappointing note

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona chased Nico all throughout the summer, even more so after he starred in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.

Joan Laporta & co. hoped to unite them at Barcelona again to counter Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe.

However, the move fell through as Nico decided not to force his exit from Athletic Club and continue playing at his boyhood club with his brother for at least one more season.