Ghanaian footballer Inaki Williams’ retirement from the Black Stars has been explained from different perspectives, with various football stakeholders offering their views on what influenced his decision.

While some have attributed his decision to unhappiness within the squad, others have pointed to injuries that hampered his progress, and one has offered a spiritual explanation for his struggles.

Williams was expected to replicate his explosive performances at club level for the national team, but that did not materialise, as he managed just two goals in 28 appearances for the Black Stars.

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The Athletic Bilbao captain switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022 and went on to make 28 appearances, scoring twice.

He made his Ghana debut in June 2022 after switching his international allegiance, becoming eligible to represent his parents’ country. Williams featured in Ghana’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Read the four conflicting narratives below:

Kwabena Yeboah

The veteran sports journalist, who has been closely associated with the Black Stars, said Williams was unhappy with his experience in the national team and sometimes shed tears over his situation.

“What has been obvious over the four-year period that Inaki Williams served the national team is that there was a disconnect. Disconnect in the sense that we never played to his strengths. There were several times he would take off waiting for that one clinical pass that never arrived. But he was a very, very quiet person. Quiet in the sense that he did not complain openly.

"But as someone closely associated with the national team, I saw him shed tears many times, complain bitterly, but the tears did not roll down his cheeks. He wept in his heart and bitterly, but the tears did not roll down his cheeks. He wept in his heart and complained quietly, and somehow, I believe that he was extremely unhappy. So, probably, it’s not very surprising that after four years of that disconnect, he has finally decided to call time on his international football,” Yeboah said in a video shared by GTV Sports+ on X.

Kwabena Yeboah emphasised that Williams would be remembered more for his commitment and discipline in camp than for his statistics.

“We may not remember Inaki Williams for goals because out of 28 games, he scored only two. So, we definitely would not remember him for the goals, but I would always remember him for the commitment, the dedication, and the passion he offered the national team anytime he donned the national colours,” he added.

Kurt Okraku

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) also revealed that Williams had sometimes played through injuries, adding that he understood the decision to retire from international football.

“I was disturbed by his decision. The entire Football Association was disappointed, but when you hear him out, you understand his situation. He has been playing through a lot of pain and injuries. We have to appreciate what he has done for Ghana,” he said.

Henry Asante Twum

However, the GFA’s Communications Director offered a different explanation, saying Williams retired primarily to concentrate on his club career.

“Inaki Williams spoke to the coach and the GFA president to explain his decision to retire from national team duties. His reason was to concentrate on club duties. He has been with the national team for four years now, and he has not shown any signs of being unhappy,” he told Asempa FM.

“I admit that his numbers have not been good for the Black Stars, but we would have loved to keep him in the team. Knowing who Kurt Okraku is, if he was not convinced, there was no way he would have allowed Inaki Williams to announce his retirement. He has decided to retire from the national team, and we must accept it,” he added.

Prophet Telvin Sowah Adjei

The renowned prophet, who is known for commenting on football-related matters, offered a spiritual explanation for Williams’ struggles, claiming that the Athletic Bilbao forward was not destined to represent Ghana.

“Inaki was supposed to play for Spain; he would have been one of the top scorers, but he made a mistake and redirected his destiny to Ghana. He was not supposed to play for Ghana, not even one match. It was a terrible decision he made; it was not part of his future,” he said in Twi during an interview with UTV.

Prophet Telvin further attributed Williams’ underwhelming performances for the Black Stars to his decision to represent Ghana and commended his retirement from international football.

“So, he came into a dry atmosphere, so he has become useless. It is good that he is going, so he should go; it is a very good decision,” he added.

SB/JKB

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