Over the course of the last summer transfer window, FC Barcelona was linked to several high profile names. From Spain to abroad, the Catalan giants were reportedly interested in several different players all at once. Ultimately, however, Barcelona did not end up signing too many players.
Dani Olmo ended up being a major arrival for them, and his impact has been positive so far. However, in terms of popularity and hype, perhaps no rumor was anticipated more than Athletic Club star Nico Williams and a potential move for him to Barcelona.
Much of the hype and attention that was created and directed towards this specific transfer rumor was because of the European Championship that took place this year. During that tournament, one that Spain eventually won, both Nico Williams and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal ended up forming one of the competition’s deadliest partnerships.
Providing goals, scoring them when they needed to, and being a constant headache for any defender that dared to stop them, the two Spaniards were simply unstoppable. Thanks to their contributions, their country eventually ended up lifting the title after their final against England.
Now, with both Yamal and Williams representing their separate clubs again, the Athletic Club star sat down with Club del Deportista magazine in a recent interview, as highlighted by SPORT, and reminisced about the partnership he had with the young Barcelona prodigy and said he did not even ‘realize the impact’ back then:
“We were so naïve, just doing our thing, and we didn’t realize the impact we had made until I was on vacation. I’m happy I got to experience that with Lamine.”
He also made sure to give credit to Alvaro Morata, Spain’s captain during the tournament, and how he instilled a sense of belief within the team:
“Six months earlier, Morata told me, ‘We’re going to win the Euros, believe it.’ He gave us the confidence to think we could achieve it.”
More Stories / Latest News
GIRONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 15: Lamine Yamal of Barcelona FC looks on during the LaLiga match between Girona FC and FC Barcelona at Montilivi Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Girona, Spain.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 01: Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between FC Barcelona and BSC Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 01, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Scott McTominay of Scotland controls the ball whilst under pressure from Martin Baturina of Croatia during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Croatia at Hampden Park on November 15, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland.
While Yamal and Nico Williams may no longer be playing their football together apart from the international stage, there may still be a possibility that the Spanish winger could still end up joining Barcelona. However, for that to happen, some things may need to align with Barça’s own conditions.