Inaki Williams undergoes surgery, remains doubtful for Mali game

Inaki Williams remains doubtful for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers after undergoing foot surgery earlier this week.

The striker struggled with a painful scar on his left foot and underwent surgery on Tuesday, ruling him out of the final league game against Rayo Vallecano.

The 29-year-old was awarded this week as the best African player in La Liga this season. He will end the season with 12 goals, the second-highest tally he’s ever managed in his career.

His goal and assist against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Copa Del Rey helped Athletic Club end a 40-year wait for a trophy.

🚑 MEDICAL REPORT I @Williaaams45@ImqEuskadi I #AthleticClub 🦁

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) May 21, 2024

The timeline for his recovery wasn’t stated by Athletic Club, however, Otto Addo will be sweating over the fitness of Williams.

• Inaki Williams beats Brahim Diaz to win African MVP in La Liga
• Inaki Williams nets 100th goal for Athletic Bilbao

The Black Stars face Mali and Central Africa Republic in a doubleheader in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Williams pulled out of Addo’s squad for the March friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria with the Ghana Football Association stating the player: “Pulled out the games to have some rest and fully recover from recent injury setbacks.”

Ghana sits fourth in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers and can’t afford to drop any more points next month if they are to qualify for the Mundial.