Ghana’s national team has been dealt an emotional farewell after one of its strikers Inaki Arthur Williams announced his retirement from international football today, September 11.
In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, the forward revealed that the time had come to end his journey with the Black Stars, insisting he departs with no regrets.
“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” he wrote. “I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”
The striker went on to reflect on what representing Ghana has meant to him, describing his time with the national team as far more than a footballing chapter — it was a homecoming.
“Ghana has given me much more than football. It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest,” he added.
The 32-year-old expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him throughout his international career, thanking “from the bottom of my heart” everyone who had been part of the journey and shown him love along the way.
Though his playing days with the Black Stars are over, the striker made it clear that his bond with the team and its supporters remains unbroken.
“Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am”, he concluded.
Williams who plays for Spanish side Atletico Bilbao, joined the senior national team few months to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He was one of the few players that played alongside his biological younger brother Nico Williams in that tournament even though the two didn’t meet in a game.
He has since been an integral part of the squad qualifying for another World Cup for last June World Cup where they reached round of 32.
Even though many had expectations for him to shine with the team, he was unable to do so scoring only a handful of goals as a striker during the 4 years with Ghana.
Unlike him, his brother has become a World Cup winner after Spain beat Argentina at this year’s tournament.
His decision to quit the team has sparked widespread reactions on social media.
By Gifty Boateng