Inaki Williams' incredible run of consecutive LaLiga appearances comes to an end
Athletic Club attacker Inaki Williams had played in 251 consecutive LaLiga games, but missed Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo due to injury
Athletic Club attacker Inaki Williams has missed a LaLiga fixture for the first time since April 2016.
Williams was ruled out of Athletic's trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday due to injury, bringing an end to his incredible run of 251 consecutive league appearances for the Basque outfit.
The 28-year-old had not missed a match in LaLiga since April 7, 2016, when he did not feature against Malaga. His remarkable run of 251 games started 13 days later, when he came on as a substitute against Atletico Madrid at San Mames.
Almost seven years later, the streak comes to an end after he was ruled out of the trip to Balaidos due to a hamstring problem.
In December 2019, Williams set a new club record of 133 consecutive LaLiga appearances, beating the mark of 132 previous set by goalkeeper Carmelo Cedrun.
🔚 @Williaaams45's incredible run of consecutive @LaLigaEN appearances comes to an end.20/04/2016 until 22/01/2023. 2️⃣5️⃣1️⃣ matches in a row.#CeltaAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/d5WrVSugm6January 29, 2023
And in October 2021, the Ghana international overtook Juan Antonio Larranaga's record of 202 successive games in the competition.
Williams played his final game of the streak against Real Madrid at San Mames last weekend and it is unclear how long he will be sidelined.
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Without him, Ernesto Valverde's side were beaten 1-0 in Vigo on Sunday.
Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.