Nico Williams Withdraws From Spain Squad With Thigh Injury Ahead of Czech Republic Clash

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has withdrawn from the Spain squad ahead of Friday's UEFA Nations League meeting with the Czech Republic after tests confirmed persistent discomfort in his left thigh, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirming the player has been released from camp to continue his recovery with his club.

Discomfort after the Croatia win

Williams scored in the dying stages of Spain's 4-1 thrashing of Croatia in Seville, but finished the match nursing physical discomfort. The Federation's statement outlined the sequence of events: the player reported the problem in his left thigh after the game, was closely monitored during the squad's rest day, and given the persistence of the discomfort took no part in Thursday's training session.

Following the tests conducted, the decision was made to release him from the current camp. Spain also confirmed that no replacement will be called up, with the squad remaining at 25 players for the visit of the Czech Republic and the subsequent fixture against Lithuania.

What it means for Athletic Club

For Athletic, the priority now is managing the winger's recovery carefully. Thigh discomfort of this kind, even when tests stop short of confirming a serious muscle tear, is routinely treated with caution because of the risk of aggravation. The club's medical staff will assess Williams when he arrives back in Bilbao before mapping out a return-to-training plan.

Williams has been one of Athletic's most influential attackers, and his availability shapes how Ernesto Valverde's side set up on both flanks. LaLiga resumes after the international break with Athletic facing a demanding run of fixtures, and the Basque club will hope a cautious early exit from national-team duty proves to be the decision that protects their man for the months ahead.

Spain, meanwhile, continue their Nations League campaign without one of their form wide players, with the federation's decision not to call up a replacement leaving the coaching staff to reshuffle their attacking options for the double-header.