Spanish-born of Ghanaian descent Nico Williams has received a debut call-up to the Spain national team for the UEFA Nations League later this month
Nico’s elder brother and Bilbao teammate, Iñaki Williams, will play for Ghana at the World Cup after switching allegiance from Spain to the country of his parents.
The 25-man squad for upcoming Nations League games was released Friday and included newcomers Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao’s 20-year-old winger, and Real Betis’ 29-year-old striker Borja Iglesias.
Nico Williams scored his first Spanish league goal in the last round in a victory for Bilbao.
His brother Inaki Williams was given one Spain cap but opted to declare for World Cup qualifiers Ghana in July
Barcelona forward Fati was a regular for Luis Enrique previously but is still finding fitness and form after a long spell out injured with a knee problem.
Marco Asensio has barely featured for Real Madrid this season, but was included after scoring as a substitute in the 2-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Veteran defender Sergio Ramos was on the pre-list according to reports in Spain, after returning from after injury at Paris Saint-Germain, but was not included and so will not be able to add to his record 180 caps.
This is the last international window ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, meaning it is a final chance for fringe players like Valencia defender Hugo Guillamon and new faces like Williams and Iglesias to convince Luis Enrique to take them to the tournament.
Spain are top of League A Group 2 with two wins and two draws from four games, leading Portugal by a point.
First they host Switzerland in Zaragoza on September 24, before heading to Braga for the second game against Fernando Santos's Portugal on September 27, with whom they shared a 1-1 draw in June.
Spain reached the previous Nations League final but lost 2-1 to France in Milan in October 2021. This edition's final four will take place in June 2023.
SPAIN SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG), David Raya (Brentford/ENG)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/ENG), Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Diego Llorente (Leeds United/ENG), Hugo Guillamon (Valencia), Jose Gaya (Valencia)
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi (all Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City/ENG), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Carlos Soler (Valencia)
Forwards: Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Borja Iglesias (Real Betis), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid).
