Inaki Williams’ mind-blowing injury record tragically ends after nearly seven years

Inaki Williams didn’t play for Athletic Bilbao on Sunday… and it sounds innocuous, right?

Well actually, it’s the first time that’s happened in nearly seven years. The Spain-born Ghana international had previously featured in a staggering 251 consecutive league matches in a run that stretches back to April 2016 (that’s 2,468 days in total).

To put that into perspective, the last time he missed a league match, Leicester City were on the verge of sealing their maiden Premier League title, Barack Obama was in the White House, and TikTok didn’t even exist.

READ MORE: Inaki Williams squares up to player lucky not to break his brother’s leg in Bilbao clash

Injury-shy Williams tragically picked up a muscle strain during Athletic’s last game against Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-final, and had to watch on from the stands as his side were beaten 1-0 by Celta Vigo on Sunday.

His run of consecutive league matches, which is a La Liga record, completely dwarves that of Premier League (outfield player) record-holder Wayne Bridge, who played in a measly-by-comparison 110 matches in a row during his Southampton days.

The actual Premier League record-holder is Brad Friedel, who racked up a whopping 310 consecutive league appearances while playing for Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham … but, y’know, goalkeepers don’t count.

Will Inaki Williams’ record ever be broken? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Williams has been a mainstay (duh) in Athletic’s side since emerging from the club’s academy in 2015.

The 28-year-old has netted 78 goals in 362 appearances for the club, with his highest season tally of 14 goals coming in the 2018/19 season.

He earned himself a call-up to the Spanish national squad in 2015 and made his debut a year later, but switched allegiances to Ghana just before the World Cup last year after going six years without earning a second Spain cap.

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