Nico Williams slump poses World Cup concern | OneFootball

Nico Williams is close to returning, his last outing came on 11 February in the Copa semi-final first leg against Real Sociedad. He then missed the seven fixtures that followed, and five days later the club announced a new treatment for pubalgia before he rejoined group training last Friday.

His rise after the last Euros stalled, having peaked between summer 2024 and summer 2025 with Spain and amid Barcelona interest. This season he has four goals and three assists, playing 1,728 minutes from 3,780 available, 45 percent. According to Transfermarkt, his valuation has fallen from 70 million in June 2025 to 50 million.

Last season also fell short of expectations, though he scored 11 goals. The No 10 is enduring one of the toughest spells of his young career.

Nico, Iñaki’s brother, was not in the latest Spain squad, which is expected to provide much of the final group for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ernesto Valverde has been cautious, declining to set return dates. That followed De la Fuente indicating there would be about three weeks of treatment in total, although it ended up taking six.

De la Fuente has said that, if recovery continues and there are no setbacks or regressions, he should reach the World Cup in good condition. Even so, the winger could arrive short of rhythm.

Williams has worked with external specialist Jurdan Mendigutxia, splitting his rehabilitation between Madrid, London, Tafalla and Lezama.

Source: as.com